Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

LIHEAP supplements the high cost of winter heating for low-income households, provides emergency furnace repairs or replacement for income qualifying homeowners and offers assistance with telephone costs to those that qualify. Households with income levels at or below 150% of the poverty level are eligible for benefits. Eligible income amounts may be increased for households with significant medical expenses.

Last year, we processed more than 6,000 applications in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy counties!

What to bring to your LIHEAP appointment:

• Social Security numbers for all household members
• Income verification (last 90 days)
• Copy of most current heating and electric bill
• Copy of most current telephone bill (if applying for Low Income Telephone Assistance Program)
• View the LIHEAP income guidelines here or visit our resources page.
• Remember to use 150% for LIHEAP eligibility.

IMPORTANT!!!

• You must continue making payments on your heating and electric bills!
• If you move or your account number changes with the utility company, you must contact the Operation Threshold office in your county within 45 days!
• An approval for the LIHEAP program allows you winter moratorium protection from disconnection but does not guarantee a payment.
• If your application is approved, LIHEAP may provide assistance, a one-time payment towards your heating bill.
• LIHEAP funds will be paid on a first-come first-serve basis.
• The LIHEAP payment amount will be based on factors such as total household income, household size, dwelling type and type of heating.

All provisions of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, including payments, are subject to the availability of federal funds.

Energy Saving Tips

• Do not use more lights in a room than needed. Turn lights (and other appliances) off when leaving the room.
• Lower the water temperature. A setting of 155 degrees should be sufficient for most uses.
• Use warm or cold water settings for most loads of laundry. Clothes will still get clean and you could reduce energy use by 50%.
• Take more showers than baths. A bath uses 15-25 gallons of hot water, but a 5 minute shower used less than 10 gallons of hot water.
• Consider having your older home insulated. If you do not qualify for weatherization services as a part of LIHEAP, this is something that can be done for a reasonable price and it is an excellent way to save energy.
• One of the quickest ways to save money is to caulk, seal, and weather-strip all the seams and cracks in your home. Reducing air leaks can save you 10% or more on energy costs.
• Change furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and can reduce the life of your furnace.
• Likewise, have your furnace checked annually by a technician to prevent major (costly) problems and to screen for Carbon Monoxide leaks.
• Use the sunlight to light your rooms. Instead of turning on lamps, open shades and curtains and let the sunlight in. Close curtains and shades at night to avoid drafts.
• Put plastic over windows to stop air leaks, and always keep windows locked to seal tighter and reduce drafts.
• Make sure air vents and radiators are clean and unblocked by furniture.
• Shut unused rooms and draw drapes to reduce energy use.
• In the winter, do not turn on the heat until you have to. Keep the temperature as low as possible once turned on. Add extra blankets and wear more layers to keep warm. It is recommended that the thermostat be set at 68 degrees during the day and lower at night.
• If you own your home, consider landscaping as a means to reduce energy costs. Believe it or not, positioning a tree carefully around your home can save up to 25% of a typical household's energy for heating and cooling. For example, deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) on the south and west sides of yGoodSearch: You Search...We Give!our home will help keep your home cool in the summer by providing shade, and in the winter will allow the sun to warm your home.

Sources: Cedar Falls Utilities, the Iowa Energy Center, Energy Savers Tips on Saving Energy & Money in the Home, and the Iowa Energy Savings Guide.