Government : Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season.The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. View eligibility guidelines.

The program will accept applications beginning October 1, 2020, for households who have a member that is at least 60 years of age, or disabled, or where disconnection is imminent. All others may apply beginning November 1, 2020. The last day to apply is April 30, 2021.

Applications are taken at your local community action agency. Anyone facing disconnection at any time should contact their local community action agency for assistance.

To find your local agency, you may call 2-1-1-, visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply, or contact:

LIHEAP
Iowa Department of Human Rights
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 242-5655 or 1-800-351-4659

Please note that Operation: New View Community Action Agency in Dubuque, Iowa, will no longer provide services after September 30, 2020. Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) in Hiawatha, Iowa, will expand its services to include the counties of Dubuque, Delaware, and Jackson.

An applicant may initiate an appeal if the application was denied, or incorrect facts or improper procedures were used to determine eligibility, assistance amounts, or services. For more information on appeal and hearing procedure in multiple languages, visit Appeal & Hearing Procedure.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Households applying for LIHEAP will also be applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Weatherization is a federal grant program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, particularly the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes, thereby reducing the households' energy bills. The program also improves the health and safety of low-income homes.