Low-Income Home Energy Assistance help is available to help pay home heating costs this winter

In response to the recent drop in temperature, many may be wondering how they're going to pay their heating bills this winter. Fortunately there is help available from Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP payments are contingent upon the availability of federal funds, but NEICAC exective director Mary Ann Humpal tells decorahnews.com they have never run out of funds in the past, so she encourages anyone who meets the eligibility guidelines to apply. Both home owners and renters are eligible to apply, and the program covers all types of heat sources.

Last year 464 LIHEAP applications were approved in Winneshiek County for a total of $211,020.00. This year the number of applications received is tracking about 50% lower than the number received last year at this time, but those numbers are expected to rise in response to last week's bitter temperatures.

According to the NEICAC website, "LIHEAP is designed to aid qualifying low-income Iowa households (homeowners and renters) in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season, to encourage regular utility payments, to promote energy awareness and to encourage reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education, and weatherization."

Households with incomes at or below 175% of the federal poverty income guidelines may be eligible for assistance and are encouraged to apply. LIHEAP applications are accepted on a first-come, firt served basis. LIHEAP applications are available now and will be accepted through April 28, 2017.

The LIHEAP program is not designed to pay a household's total energy costs, but is available to provide supplemental assistance to those who qualify. To learn more about the program and to see if you are eligible for assistance,visit www.neicac.org/LIHEAP.