News : Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) to begin November 1st

Applications will be taken starting November 1, 2011 for the 2011-12 Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP). This program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Iowa Department of Human Rights/Department of Community Action Agencies, and has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs. Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. (HACAP) has been taking applications for elderly and disabled persons since October 1, 2011. The application period will last through April 30, 2012. Applicants must apply in person at designated HACAP sites. For more information call United Way 2-1-1 help line or toll free 1-866-469-2211, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5pm. Applicants will need proof of Social Security or USCIS numbers for all members of the household, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, and proof of all household members’ gross income for the past three months or for the past calendar year. This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs. The program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors. Those factors include total household income, household size, dwelling type, and type of heating fuel, among others. Eligibility for participation is established according to the following federal income guidelines: INCOME MAXIMUMS Household Three-Month Annual Gross Size Gross Income Income 1 $ 4,084.00 $ 16,335.00 2 $ 5,516.00 $ 22,065.00 3 $ 6,949.00 $ 27,795.00 4 $ 8,381.00 $ 33,525.00 5 $ 9,814.00 $ 39,255.00 6 $ 11,246.00 $ 44,985.00 For households with more than six members, add $1,433.00 / $5,730.00 for each additional member. * Medical Waiver: Households who are over LiHEAP regular income guidelines may be eligible for LiHEAP benefits through the medical waiver component. The medical expenses must be documented, paid, and non-reimbursable. For more information please call the United Way 2-1-1 help line or toll free 1-866-469-2211, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5pm.