Columns
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.