Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program designed to assist low income families meet the cost of home heating by providing a one-time payment to the heating utility. The LIHEAP program is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Homeowners and renters are eligible, within the federal poverty guidelines. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis November 1 - April 30 of each year. Households with a member 60 years of age or older, those who are disabled, and those in crisis can begin applying October 1st. Visit your local community action outreach office to apply for this and other programs.
What are the Benefits of LIHEAP?
Helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
Receive a one-time payment to assist with household heating costs, regardless of heating fuel type. This payment is not intended to pay your entire winter heating costs.
Both home owners and renters may qualify
When applying for Liheap, you are automatically applying for the Weatherization Program at the same time.
Program available from November 1st to April 30th annually. Households with a member 60 years of age or older, those who are disabled and those in a crisis situation can apply beginning October 1st.
Protects qualified applicants from being disconnected from natural gas or electric service during the annual winter moratorium, November 1 through April 1. Must have a heating and/or electric vendor, including an account number for the address you live at to receive the moratorium protection. Direct Pay Customers and Propane Customers are not protected from the moratorium.
What is Required for Program Eligibility?
Meet Federal income guidelines
Must have a heating and/or electric vendor, including an account number for the address you live at to receive the moratorium protection
Households with a member 60 years of age or older, those who are disabled and those in crisis can apply beginning October 1st. Everyone else can apply starting November 1st to April 30th.
Must prove Legal U.S. status
LIHEAP is offered in the following counties:
- Buena Vista
- Clay
- Dickinson
- Emmet
- Hamilton
- Humboldt
- O'Brien
- Osceola
- Palo Alto
- Pocahontas
- Webster
- Wright
How Do I Apply?
You will need three groups of documents:
- Proof of identity for everyone living in your home. Social Security Number verification.
- Social security cards are best because they don't expire. If you applied the year before, we may still have this on file for you.
- You may also use unexpired Iowa driver's license or a REAL ID (with a star symbol) from any State, or a current United States passport, United States birth certificate among others. Must verbally declare and/or write down your Social Security number if not provided on documentation.
- Your most recent Heating bill and most recent Electric bill.
- Proof of income for all household members.
- Income from the past 30 days prior to the application or for the past year. Click for a check list of required documentation.
Choose from the links below to:
- Access a map of all Outreach Offices. Choose the county where you live to access contact information and to schedule an appointment.
- Access a downloadable LIHEAP application to complete, print, and mail to your local county Outreach Office.
- Access the online LIHEAP application to complete and submit.