State officials say they’re aware of a delay in payments going out to those receiving assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
State Auditor Rob Sand says he’s heard from LIHEAP recipients saying their accounts have not been credited by their utility vendor, or have not received their direct payment from LIHEAP. Sand says they’re monitoring the situation, and says funds should be properly distributed and credited by April.
Iowa law prohibits LIHEAP customers from being disconnected from their electric or natural gas supply from November 1st through April 1st of each year, regardless of the temperature.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights. It’s designed to help households at or below 200-percent of the 2022 federal poverty level guidelines meet their heating needs.
Households interested in applying for LIHEAP should contact their local community action agency. Buena Vista County residents should contact the Upper Des Moines Opportunity Office in Storm Lake.
