With colder outdoor temperatures happening across Iowa, a reminder for households that need help with paying to keep their heat on this winter is available.

Greene County New Opportunities Coordinator Teresa Lansman says applications for eligible households for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now being accepted. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that this is a federally funded program that gives additional money to pay for increased heating during the colder months of the winter season and it guarantees that a household’s heat will not be disconnected through April 1st. She recommends anyone who is interested in taking advantage of the program to sign up sooner rather than later.

“It does take about 90 days for the money to hit the (bank) accounts. So if you can sign up early the money is hitting the accounts during January when you’re hitting the higher cost of the bills. It seems the last few winters January-February has been some of the highest bills around, and with cost rising from utilities, it’s probably going to hit everyone hard about those months.”  

Lansman notes that people can sign up anytime through her office, as the registration period goes through April 30th. She advises individuals to schedule an appointment and bring their Social Security cards for everyone in the residence, proof of income and current utility bills. Contact her office at 515-386-2719 to schedule an appointment.