The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a federally-funded program designed to assist low income families in Iowa to meet the cost of home heating by providing a one-time payment to the heating utility. LIHEAP is a federally-funded program. Homeowners and renters are eligible, within the federal poverty guidelines.
In Iowa, LIHEAP is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and individuals can apply through their local community action agency.
For the 2024-2025 heating season, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services anticipates LIHEAP funding will be approximately $52 million to help households with their home energy costs, which may change based on a final budget passed by Congress.
Households across Iowa can use the LIHEAP eligibility tool. to quickly identify if they might be eligible for LIHEAP assistance by inputting basic information like income and household size.
Submit a LIHEAP Application
The annual application period runs from November 1 through April 30, with early applications accepted during October for households with at least one resident who is 60 or older or has a disability. To determine eligibility or to apply, contact your local community action agency.
Applications for the LIHEAP and weatherization programs are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you qualify for either program, your utility company will be notified and you will be eligible for protection from disconnection of your heating service for nonpayment during Iowa’s annual winter disconnection moratorium, November 1 and April 1. The LIHEAP payment is made directly to the utility or heating fuel vendor with limited exceptions for applicants whose heating source is included in their rental payments.
Although qualified applicants cannot be disconnected during the moratorium for nonpayment, the IUC urges all LIHEAP-certified customers to continue paying toward their energy bills to avoid accumulating high debt and facing potential utility service disconnection once the moratorium period ends.
Weatherization
As part of the weatherization program, which has limited funding, experts may install permanent, cost-effective measures to weatherize the building shell and improve heating and cooling systems.
A computerized energy audit helps determine the cost-effectiveness of various energy efficiency upgrades like the installation of additional or new insulation. Potential indoor air quality and other resident health and safety issues are also addressed, including checks of all combustion appliances.