Columns
Thursday, November 20, 2003
common sense on the low-income home energy assistance program
Q: Senator, what is LIHEAP?A: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps thousands of struggling Iowa families with their home-heating bills, providing a safety net for needy families. Many of our families face a terrible choice between paying energy bills or paying for other necessities such as housing, food, and prescription drugs. LIHEAP can help. 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, more than 4 million U.S. households, including some 75,000 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. LIHEAP is a program that I strongly believe in. As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds LIHEAP, I fought to increase LIHEAP funding to $1.8 billion nationwide in fiscal year 2003.
Q: Who is eligible for LIHEAP assistance?
A: In order to be eligible for LIHEAP aid, applicants must provide proof that their income falls within the income range listed below. SIZE OF HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD INCOME UNDER ($) 1 $13,470 2 $18,180 3 $22,890 4 $27,600 5 6 $32,310 $37,020 Q: How do I apply for LIHEAP assistance?
A: The LIHEAP program is administered by local community action agencies in each county. Information on applying for LIHEAP aid can be found online at http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/caa/LIHEAP.html or by contacting my Davenport office at 563-322-1338. LIHEAP began accepting applications from the elderly and disabled on October 1, and from other citizens beginning November 1.
