MATURA Madison County Outreach

Program: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to the heating utility department.

This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide assistance in the payment of residential heating costs for eligible households. Households who reside in subsidized housing that are individually metered and responsible for paying their primary heating costs are eligible. Subsidized households that are master metered are usually not eligible to receive assistance benefits

Services:

Utility payment assistance

Eligibility:

A household may qualify for assistance if the household’s income falls under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Intake Process:

Applications are accepted on a first come/first served basis at a local community action agency from November 1 through April 30 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Complete the application and return it to the local community action agency. Applications may be available to be completed online through the local community action agency. Applicants must provide proof of income, Social Security numbers for each household member, and the household’s most recent heating or electric bill.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website

Program: Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills. LIHWAP will provide assistance in the form of benefit payments made directly to water vendors on behalf of households for past-due charges, fees, and taxes for drinking and wastewater services. The program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and locally through Iowa’s Community Action Agencies that serve all 99 counties.

The application period is open year-round. LIHWAP will run through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

Services:

Utility bill assistance

Eligibility:

Total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and a current water crisis must be present.

Intake Process:

Iowans may apply by contacting their local Community Action Agency. To locate the agency nearest you, please visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or call the Iowa Department of Human Rights at 515-281-3861.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website

Program: Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The program also fixes certain health and safety problems in the client’s homes, maintains affordable housing for low-income persons, reduces utility cost, and reduces environmental pollution.

Services:

Insulation in attics, walls, and foundations
Furnace or venting repairs, and replacements
Thermostat repairs
Refrigerator or freezer replacement
Water heater or venting repairs, and replacements
Energy efficient lighting
Other eligible repairs

Eligibility:

Households with an income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. If the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, the household is eligible to receive Weatherization services, regardless of income.

Intake Process:

Applications are accepted year round at local community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP are automatically sent to the Weatherization program. Applications are prioritized based on need. Not every application for LIHEAP will receive services from the Weatherization program.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website