Application period for LIHEAP open now for disabled and residents 60 and older; standard application period begins Nov. 1
The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) reminds Iowa electric and natural gas customers who are struggling to pay utility bills to make payment arrangements with their provider before the annual winter moratorium on service disconnections begin on Wednesday, November 1.
Iowa’s winter moratorium law prevents utilities from disconnecting customers’ electric or natural gas utility service for nonpayment between November 1 and April 30 when that service is used for home heating.
Limited financial energy assistance in Iowa is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The annual application period runs from November 1 through April 30. Households with a resident 60 years of age or older, those who are disabled, and those in crisis are eligible to apply now. Visit your local community action agency outreach office to apply for this and other programs.
Iowa law protects qualified applicants who are the head of a household from being disconnected from natural gas or electric service from November 1 through April 1. Although qualified applicants cannot be disconnected during the annual winter moratorium, the IUB urges all LIHEAP-certified customers to continue paying toward their energy bills through the winter to avoid accumulating high debt and face potential utility service disconnection after April 1. Customers currently disconnected must contact their utility provider to make payment arrangements to restore service.
LIHEAP is designed to help low-income homeowners and renters pay a portion of their primary home heating costs through a one-time payment made directly to the utility or heating fuel vendor. LIHEAP is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Community Access Division, Community Action Agencies. During 2022, more than 100,000 Iowa households received LIHEAP funding to assist with a portion of their heating costs, with an average statewide heating assistance benefit of approximately $765.
Customers who are unable to reach an agreement with or have concerns about their utility company or service may file a complaint about their utility by contacting IUB Customer Service staff at 877-565-4450 or customer@iub.iowa.gov.