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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

common sense on the low-income home energy assistance program

Q: What is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?

A: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps thousands of struggling Iowa families pay their home-heating bills.  Many Iowa families are forced to choose between paying energy bills or paying for other necessities such as housing, food, and prescription drugs.  For these families, LIHEAP is a safety net that ensures they literally are not left in the cold.  This program is not designed to pay a household's entire energy costs.  But for eligible households, it can lighten the burden of heating bills significantly.

Q: How has LIHEAP helped Iowans?

A: Last year, nearly 90,000 Iowans received LIHEAP assistance.  A survey of Iowa households receiving LIHEAP aid found that 21 percent were going without needed medical care and/or prescription drugs in order to pay their heating bill, and 12 percent were cutting back on food purchases.

I have always been a strong supporter of the LIHEAP program. As the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds LIHEAP, I recently urged the President to release emergency LIHEAP funds from last year. As a result, this September an additional $131 million in LIHEAP funding was made available for families nationwide, including nearly $2 million for Iowa.

Q: Who is eligible for LIHEAP assistance?

A: In order to be eligible for LIHEAP aid, applicants must provide proof that their income falls within the income range listed below.

SIZE OF HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD INCOME UNDER
1 $15,315
2 $20,535
3 $25,755
4 $30,975
5 $36,195
6 $41,415

How do I apply for LIHEAP assistance?

LIHEAP is administered by local community action agencies in each county.To apply for assistance, you need to provide the following documentation:

  • Proof of income (such as pay stubs from the last three months, a Social Security award letter or a 2006 tax return)
  • A Social Security number
  • A recent heating bill, electric bill and phone bill

Additional information on applying for LIHEAP aid can be found online at http://www.dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA/index.html or by contacting my Davenport office at 563-322-1338.  LIHEAP began accepting applications from the elderly and disabled on October 1 and will accept applications from other citizens beginning November 1. The last day to apply for assistance is April 15, 2008.