North Iowa Community Action Organization serving nine counties surrounding the Mason City area, provides the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, to low-income families. NICAO has taken in just under 5000 applications each year for the past few years for those who meet the qualifing guide lines.
LIHEAP applications are taken through April 15th.
Who can apply?
Contact your local North Iowa Community Action Organization.
For more information you can e-mail Myrna Long
or phone 641-423-9028
IOWA
LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
FFY 2004 FACTS & FIGURES
. Iowa received $33.5 million in federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for FFY 2004. 82,431 households were certified eligible and approved for benefits this year. This represents a 6% increase in the number of households applying over the previous year.
. 82,431 Iowa households (201,350 individuals) received heating assistance benefits to assist with a portion of their heating costs.
. The average statewide heating assistance benefit was $314.
. 31.0% of households assisted by LIHEAP has an elderly household member.
. 89.7% of households assisted by the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program are NOT on welfare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
. 44.6% of households assisted by LIHEAP has a disabled member.
. 25.1% of households assisted by LIHEAP has a child under 6 years of age.
. 60.1% of LIHEAP households are below 100% of federal poverty guidelines.
. Benefits are targeted to vulnerable households with low incomes and high heating costs. Elderly, disabled, families with young children, and working poor (who often don't receive any other form of assistance) are also targeted groups.
. 71.9% heat with natural gas; 12.2% heat with liquid propane gas; 14.0% heat with electricity; 1.6% heat with fuel oil: 0.3% heat with wood/coal/other.
. 72.6% live in single family homes; 27.4% live in duplexes/apartments/mobile homes.
Source: Iowa Dept. of Human Rights/D.C.A.A. 515.281.0859
Based on information from Iowa Community Action Association