LIHEAP Heating Assistance Applications Due April 30

Applications accepted through April 30 for LIHEAP heating assistance

• Monday, April 13, 2026

• News

The annual winter moratorium regarding utility service disconnection has ended for the year, but Iowans have until April 30 to apply for heating bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program.

LIHEAP assists thousands of Iowans with a portion of their heating bills every year by providing a one-time payment directly to the utility. LIHEAP-qualified customers are also protected from utility service disconnection from November 1 through April 1 annually.

For customers facing disconnection due to nonpayment of a bill, all Iowa utilities must provide written notice at least 12 days prior to disconnection; if a customer’s rental unit is subject to disconnect, the utility must attempt to contact the landlord at least two days prior to the disconnection. Customers who have defaulted on a payment agreement may be disconnected with 24 hours’ notice.

The notice must include the reason for disconnection and the final date payment is due, along with the “Customer Rights and Responsibilities” language from applicable IUC rules in Iowa Administrative Code:

• 199 IAC 19.4(15) - Service Supplied by Gas Utilities (120.28 KB).pdf
• 199 IAC 20.4(15) - Service Supplied by Rate-Regulated Electric Utilities (133.28 KB).pdf
• 199 IAC 27.4(2) - Regulation of Electric Cooperatives and Municipal Electric Utilities (118.61 KB).pdf Applications for LIHEAP assistance are accepted through the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services online portal, or contact your local community action agency for assistance. Additionally, 211 Iowa is a resource for assistance with utility payments, housing, and other information that may provide financial relief.

Under Iowa law, utilities are also required to operate a fund that allows its customers to voluntarily contribute money for deposit in a low-income heating assistance fund. Although these fund programs go by different names (Project Share, ICARE, etc.), they all assist low-income customers with paying energy bills and providing weatherization of their homes. Customers interested in applying for funds from these sources are encouraged to contact their utility provider for assistance.

For more information, contact IUC Customer Service staff at customer@iuc.iowa.gov.