With colder months ahead, one federally funded program is now available to help ease utility payments.

Greene County New Opportunities Coordinator Teresa Lansman says applications for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now available to qualified households. Lansman points out this program gives households that qualify on an income basis a lump-sum amount of money to offset the colder months when a heating bill may run higher than normal. 

Lansman says last year, LIHEAP served 455 families, but she is expecting to help more families this year.

“We have extended the guideline to go up 200-percent poverty instead of what it has been in the past of 175-percent poverty level. That will hopefully pull in more families so we can help them out because the colder months hit us all.” 

A couple of examples of household incomes to qualify for LIHEAP includes a family of two with a gross income of $34,840, four-person household with gross income of $53,000 or a household of six with a gross income of $71,160. 

LIHEAP runs through April 30th and Lansman adds, once you qualify for the program, the utility company can’t shut-off the heat until then. Those wanting to apply for LIHEAP must bring proof of income, social security cards for everyone in the household and a gas and electric billing statement. Contact Lansman at New Opportunities at 515-386-2719.