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LIHEAP

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE (LIHEAP) PROGRAM

Providing financial assistance for home heating costs and emergency energy crisis situations to individuals and families with limited resources

Regular Assistance Applications are accepted October through April. Emergency Crisis Assistance requests accepted year-round.

WHAT IS LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is designed to aid qualifying homeowners and renters in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season and provide financial assistance for an energy crisis. LIHEAP also encourages regular utility payments, promotes energy awareness and encourages the reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education, and weatherization at the time of application. This is a supplemental program and it is not designed to pay a household’s total energy cost. All customers applying for this program will simultaneously be making an application for weatherization assistance as required by state law.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE LIHEAP ASSISTANCE?

Both owner-occupied and renter-occupied households are eligible to apply for Energy Assistance. Households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines may be eligible for assistance. Click here to review the current Federal Poverty Guidelines income table.

LIHEAP EMERGENCY CRISIS & WEATHERIZATION APPLICATIONS

A household can still apply for the Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) LIHEAP assistance and/or Weatherization between April 30 and the next regular assistance LIHEAP season.

If a household applied for LIHEAP Regular Assistance during the heating season and was denied, they may still apply for ECIP crisis assistance if the circumstances that led to the denial have since changed.

A customer may receive ECIP crisis assistance even if they did not apply for, or receive, LIHEAP Regular Assistance during the heating season if all LIHEAP eligibility criteria have been met.

If you are facing disconnection or already disconnected from your energy source, you can connect with us to request assistance by:

  • Reaching out directly to a local Family Services Office
  • Calling our corporate office at 563-382-8436
  • Emailing [email protected]
  • Starting a chat on the bottom right corner of the screen. Between May 2 – August 28, the chat is monitored Monday & Wednesday 8:00am-4:00pm, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00am-3:00pm and Friday 8:00am-12:00pm. 

THE NEXT REGULAR ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PERIOD WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1, 2026. HOUSEHOLDS WHO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS CAN APPLY BEGINNING OCTOBER 1. ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS CAN APPLY BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1.

  • A member that is 60 years old or older.
  • A member that is disabled.
  • A written disconnect notice.
  • A heating or electricity source that is currently disconnected. 

REQUIRED INFORMATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBLITY FOR ASSISTANCE:

  • A copy of the most recent heat and electric bill.
  • The social security number of each household member, regardless of age. This must be provided for each household member to be eligible. At least one household member must provide social security number documentation for the household itself to be eligible.
  • Documentation of gross income for all members living in the home.
LIHEAP PROGRAM INFORMATION CARD

For more information contact [email protected]

CLICK HERE FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION INFORMATION

HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR

Each year, low income families in our seven county area struggle to pay their energy bills. As the cost of energy rises, the need for emergency assistance also rises. You can help your neighbor through a crisis by making a one time or monthly donation to Black Hills Energy Corporation, Alliant Energy or MidAmerican Energy. The application process is simple. Just click on the appropriate link below and complete the application process. Your donation will stay within your area to help your friend, family member or neighbor in need.

ALLIANT ENERGY HOMETOWN CARE PROGRAM
BLACK HILLS ENERGY - BLACK HILLS CARE PROGRAM
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY I CARE PROGRAM

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Agency Appreciations

“Thank you for your fabulous work with the Decorah community & surrounding areas. All of you truly embody the spirit of hope & change people’s lives to not only help themselves but to encourage & help those around them. At a time when our country needs love & compassion, you & your staff deserve a well-deserved BRAVO.”
Rachel Buresh
KD Rae Jewelry

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Embrace Iowa

“Embrace Iowa helped our family be getting us a stove. The stove we had was hazardous. When we would cook on it, it would stink the whole house up. Also, it leaked underneath the stove. That stove was so small that my two year old son could see inside the pan without standing on anything. Now, with our new stove we can cook without smelling anything or without cleaning up a leaky mess. Thanks so much for our new stove. We really appreciated it.”
Fayette County Resident

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Dynamic Partnerships

“St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School have been pleased to be working with NEICAC. They have been a wonderful partner and resource for those individuals and families in our communities who are in need of support and assistance. We have been able to assist this organization with money for utilities, shelter, transportation, food, and other help. They also provide for emergency medical and dental services as well as mental health services for those who do not have the means to access those services on their own. St Paul’s considers the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corportation to be a vital part of our community.”
Ron Zell - Director or Administration, St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

EARL Public Transit

“The reason I choose EARL is that the Drivers are Nice and that I want to Ride the transit because I like to see new faces every time I ride. They help me get around to where I need to go. I get along with the Transit Drivers and the passengers.”

NEICAC EARL Public Transit Rider