Applications for help with winter’s high heating costs will be accepted beginning Oct. 1 for households with elderly or disabled members and Nov. 1 for all others in Dallas County, according to Mary Greving, LIHEAP coordinator and family development supervisor with New Opportunities.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income Iowans, both homeowners and renters, by paying a portion of their residential heating costs during the winter heating season, Greving said.
“This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy cost,” she said. “The program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors, including total household income, household size, dwelling type and type of heating fuel, among others.”
Greveing said the LIHEAP supplemental assistance aims to encourage regular utility payments, promote energy awareness and encourage reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education and weatherization.
In a one-step process, clients applying for this program simultaneously apply for weatherization assistance as required by state law.
Applications will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis from Nov. 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016, with elderly and disabled households applying beginnibng Oct. 1, 2015.
Applications should be submitted to the New Opportunities Dallas County Family Development Center, 2814 First Ave. in Perry. An applicant will need to furnish:
- a Social Security card or I94 card,
- a copy of the most recent heating and electric bill, and
- proof of all household members’ gross income for the past three months or for the past year.
Eligibility for participation is established according to the following federal income guidelines:
