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Utilities and phone
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Iowa
Iowa's LIHEAP helps pay part of your winter heating bill and offers crisis help all year, such as fixing a broken furnace or stopping a shut-off.
Homes with someone 60 or older or a person with a disability can apply starting Oct. 1, a month before everyone else, at the community action agency for their county. Once you're approved, state law protects your gas and electric service from disconnection from Nov. 1 through April 1.
How to apply in Iowa
- In person
- Apply at the community action agency for your county. Iowa HHS has a Find a Community Action Agency page and an intake list by county; if you can't find your county, call the Community Action Agencies Unit at 515-776-8871.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Iowa
| Yearly gross income limit, one person (Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027) | $31,920 a year for one person (200% of the federal poverty level) |
|---|---|
| Yearly gross income limit, two people (Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027) | $43,280 a year for two people |
| Which income counts | Income is figured for a year, using the last 30 days, the most recent calendar year, or the most recent 12 months |
| Other rules | Your household must have an energy burden, and you must be able to verify citizenship status for everyone in the home |
| If utilities are included in subsidized rent | Subsidized renters with both heat and electric included in the rent can't get regular help |
Source: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
What you may get
| Heating benefit (FFY 2027 state plan) | $80 to $800, based on income, household size, home type and heating fuel. Homes with an older, disabled or young member get more. |
|---|---|
| Crisis help, year-round | Repair or replacement of a broken heating unit, emergency fuel delivery when 30% or less is left, help if you're disconnected or about to be, temporary shelter, blankets or space heaters, and a window air conditioner if medically necessary |
Source: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source 2)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| When to apply for winter 2026–27 | From Oct. 1 for homes with someone 60 or older or disabled; from Nov. 1 for everyone else. Applications close April 30. |
|---|---|
| Crisis help | Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027 (year-round) |
| Early sign-up for older adults | Homes with someone 60 or older, a person with a disability, a shut-off threat or a broken heating system can apply from Oct. 1, a month before the Nov. 1 start for others |
| Winter shut-off protection | Households certified for LIHEAP or weatherization are protected from gas and electric disconnection by regulated utilities from Nov. 1 through April 1 |
Source: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
How Iowa is different
Where Iowa's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Income limit is 200% of the poverty level, above the usual federal 150% (but below 60% of Iowa's median income)
- Homes with someone 60 or older can apply a month early, starting Oct. 1
- State law protects approved households from gas and electric shut-off from Nov. 1 through April 1
- Crisis help, including furnace repair, is available year-round
Source: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source 2)
Good to know
- Applications are taken first come, first served. LIHEAP pays only part of your energy costs.
- Your local agency must approve or deny your application within 30 days of receiving it. If you're denied and your situation changes, you can apply again.
- The state's online application site opens to the general public on Nov. 1, 2026.
Source: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Iowa
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Aging Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Iowa
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP FFY27 Iowa State Plan (submission draft, Aug. 24, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa LIHEAP Program Notice PN 27-01 (Sept. 2, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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