Q: What is LIHEAP?
A: The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP) helps poor households pay for heating and cooling their homes. I have long supported federal funding for this program. It provides critical assistance for families, seniors and disabled individuals who struggle to pay their home energy bills. As winter approaches with cold temperatures already blanketing the Midwest and Northeast, the LIHEAP budget once again will be put to the test to provide assistance to those in need. I sent a letter to Senate appropriators in November, requesting $1.7 billion in regular funds and $300 million in emergency funds, to fill the coffers for LIHEAP in fiscal 2003. In January, Congress will need to pass the spending bill that includes funding for this program. I'm concerned that a cut in funding would leave vulnerable citizens out in the cold this winter season. Last year, Iowa received $31.1 million to assist low-income Iowans. The colder than normal weather in Iowa already this fall has forced up the demand on fuel supplies. Lower nationwide inventories also have caused the price of natural gas and heating oil to climb. That means higher home energy prices are in store. According to the Energy Information Agency, fuel costs have risen substantially from last year. U.S. households are expected to spend 25 percent more for natural gas, 40 percent more for heating oil, 19 percent more for propane and about 13 percent more for electricity over last winter. More people will look to programs like LIHEAP to help them keep warm this winter.
Q: Who is eligible for assistance?
A: Last year, over 75,000 households in Iowa received a benefit from the LIHEAP program. Through the end of October, more than 26,000 already had signed up for LIHEAP benefits this year. Two years ago, during the colder-than-normal winter of 2000-2001, more than 85,000 households sought assistance. Adequate funding for LIHEAP is essential to provide meaningful aid to families struggling to pay their monthly bills. It helps those on fixed incomes to stay warm at home in the winter months and pay for other necessities like prescription medicine and groceries. In Iowa, households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level - $27,150 for a family of four - can apply for assistance. Priority is given to the poorest families, disabled and elderly applicants, and families with very young children. Iowans may apply in person at outreach centers located in each county. Contact the Iowa Bureau of Energy Assistance to find a location most convenient for you at (515)281-0859. Or, go online at http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/caa/LIHEAP.html for more information.