LIHEAP LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM We are dedicated to helping build stronger communities by addressing the effects of poverty on individuals and families.
The program is federally funded and administered by the Department of Health & Human Services UDMO contracts with the Iowa Department of DHS Did you know…? This program provides vital and often life- While the average saving assistance to household pays 5% of their many households income for heating costs, the low-income household This program is also known as “LIHEAP”, pays 15-20% of their income “Energy Assistance”, or for heating costs. “Fuel Assistance Program” The LIHEAP program dates back to the 70’s when the oil crisis started
INTENT OF PROGRAM LIHEAP does: LIHEAP is not designed to : ∗ help low-income ∗ Pay the household’s total households with a energy costs. portion of their residential heating bill by providing supplemental assistance.
APPLICATION PROCESS ∗ Applications are taken ∗ During October we November 1 st through process apps for April 30 th households with a ∗ UDMO takes in over disabled person or a 6,000 application in our person 60 years of age 12-county service area through our Outreach or older. These are our centers priority clients and the ∗ In addition, we process State allows us to over 2,00 applications by serve them first. mail for our automatically-eligible households (elderly or disabled, on a fixed income with less than $15,000 in savings and were approved last year.
Your most recent heat and electric bill. The amount makes no Social Security Number verification difference. The bills are required to and birthdates for each of your verify you have an account and that household members your allotment will be properly credited to your heat account. Proof of your household’s GROSS income. Wage earners need check stubs or federal tax form. For those Farmers and self-employed need to on a fixed income {such as SS, SSI, bring their most recent federal tax Veteran’s benefits and pensions} a form. copy of the check, award letter or bank statement (if funds are directly deposited). ALL income requires verification, IF you receive FIP or SSI, bring your including unemployment, alimony Medicaid card. and child support. Additional information on following page…
INCOME VERIFICATION PERIOD Our client has the option to choose their income verification period. Depending on their situation, the client may choose : 1. The past 3 months (90 days) OR 2. The past 12 months (12 months from the application date) OR 3. The previous calendar year (January through December). NOTE: Farmers and self-employed should use their most recent income tax form OR 4. Current income alternative: 30-day income INCOME GUIDELINES 150% of the CURRENT Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The household must be vulnerable to the rising costs of energy costs.
Payments Amount Received TYPE OF PAYMENTS MADE Determined By: ∗ 1) Type of Housing 1) Direct to heat supplier ∗ Income based on family 2) Direct to client when the client’s heat is size ∗ Type of fuel and included in their rent or the client has special ∗ Other targeting factors. circumstance Example: Elderly, disabled, young children No household is entitled to a certain amount or from of assistance from this program. Households must meet the income guidelines and there must be program funds available before payments can be made.
Client Notification At the time the client applies they are given a letter telling them if they are eligible. If so, the letter will state the dollar amount approved and that funds will be sent to their heat company. Payments may take up to 3 months before a client sees the credit on their heat bill. Approval ∗ An approval does allow moratorium protection, but it does not guarantee a payment will be made Medical Waiver on your account. All payments are contingent ∗ Households over the income upon the availability of guidelines may be eligible Federal funds. Payments for benefits through our are made on a first come- medical waiver component. first served basis. If the Medical Expenses must be client is approved for documented, paid and non- assistance, they can only reimbursable. There are also apply once during a income guidelines for this heating season. waiver. If the client meets those guidelines a letter will Denial be provided explaining the medical waiver and that they ∗ If the client is over the may be eligible. The client income guidelines, the will have to provide eligible client may reapply medical receipts within a anytime through April specified time frame. 30 th .
DISCONNECTION MORATORIUM LAW In 1984, a State law was passed by the Iowa State commerce Commission, now referred to as the Iowa Utility Board (IUB). The IUB is the agency that regulated and makes rules for all natural gas and electric companies. The IUB is responsible for making sure all regulated (natural gas or electricity( utilities follow the moratorium law. The law forbids regulated utilities from disconnecting any customer who has qualified for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Weatherization Program between November 1st and April 1 st . IF the client has a deliverable fuel such as propane or fuel oil, they are not protected under the Moratorium Law for their heating. Deliverable vendors are not regulated.
Vendors Before the Program starts, each participating vendor (energy supplier) must sign a Vendor Agreement with UDMO. Some of the major provisions include: 1. Client’s LIHEAP allotment will be used only for heating costs. 2. The funds will remain on the client’s account until expended. 3. ALL INFORMATION FROM UDMO WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL! 4. THE CLIENT WILL NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OR TREATED DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER VENDOR CUSTOMERS. 5. Vendors agree to State monitoring of funds and compliance with the Vendor Agreement. PLEASE NOTE: Every effort is made to maintain client confidentiality. When taking applications it is important to remember that many applicants may not feel comfortable applying for a government-assistance program. Many may be easily embarrassed or discouraged from applying by the manner in which the staff conduct themselves. It is absolutely essential to handle each applicant with care, tact, kindness and dignity at all times. Vendors should also extend the same consideration to the client.
We receive approximately $3.3Million for LIHEAP for regular assistance Did you know…? We have run out of We actually only serve 30% money only twice in the of the eligible population. past 20 years. The average payment last year was $460 per household, and this included a supplemental payment.
OTHER PROGRAMS We also have other programs within the Energy Program, but funding is limited and we don’t usually advertise these: Last year, UDMO received over $159,142 for crisis assistance. SUMMER CONTRACTING We have crisis money for heat- In the summer we contract with related emergencies. participating deliverable vendors for delivery of propane and fuel oil for the We have a limited amount of upcoming winter heating season. We money for: began this program in 1997. Last year, 1. Furnace repair/replacement; we contracted over $368,439 in lp and this is for homeowners only. fuel oil. This year we contracted We replace heating systems $322,721. that contractors determine unsafe. We do not replace heating systems because they are old or inefficient. SUMMER COOLING 2. Out of fuels- we help clients Fans and air conditioners for medically that are out of lp or fuel oil necessary households. A this time,. obtain fuel However, we do not have funding for 3. Disconnect, reconnect, service this program. We have received federal continuity deposit money. To funds for this program more than help clients regain or maintain several times in the past when the electric and/or natural gas temperatures have been extreme for an service extended period of time. 4. Space heaters, blankets and temporary shelter in heat- related emergencies.
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