LIHEAP
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE (LIHEAP) PROGRAM
Regular Assistance Applications are accepted October through April. Emergency Crisis Assistance requests accepted year-round.
WHAT IS LIHEAP?
LIHEAP is designed to aid qualifying homeowners and renters in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season and provide financial assistance for an energy crisis. LIHEAP also encourages regular utility payments, promotes energy awareness and encourages the reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education, and weatherization at the time of application. This is a supplemental program and it is not designed to pay a household’s total energy cost. All customers applying for this program will simultaneously be making an application for weatherization assistance as required by state law.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE LIHEAP ASSISTANCE?
Both owner-occupied and renter-occupied households are eligible to apply for Energy Assistance. Households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines may be eligible for assistance. Click here to review the current Federal Poverty Guidelines income table.
LIHEAP EMERGENCY CRISIS APPLICATIONS
The Emergency Crisis Intervention Payment (ECIP) is a component of the LIHEAP program that allows households to receive assistance to address energy-crisis-related needs, such as being at risk of disconnection from a primary or secondary fuel source or needing a connection restored. While ECIP payments can be issued in conjunction with non-LIHEAP crisis funds to resolve a crisis, ECIP payments can only be issued to households that have met LIHEAP eligibility criteria, either earlier in the program year or at the time the ECIP request is made, and who are experiencing an energy crisis at the time of the request.
If you are a LIHEAP customer requesting ECIP crisis assistance and have already been approved for Regular Assistance Benefits, no re-verification of income is needed to approve ECIP during that program year unless extenuating circumstances prevail.
If a household applied for LIHEAP Regular Assistance during the heating season and was denied, they may still apply for ECIP crisis assistance if the circumstances that led to the denial have since changed.
ECIP application approvals are completed on a first-come, first-served basis and approved based on the availability of funds. The maximum ECIP funding amount per household for Program Year 2026 is $800.
If you are facing disconnection or are already disconnected from your energy source, you can connect with us to request assistance by:
- Reaching out directly to a local Family Services Office
- Calling our corporate office at 563-382-8436
- Emailing [email protected]
- Starting a chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. The chat is monitored during our normal Family Services Outreach Office staffed hours.
- A member that is 60 years old or older.
- A member that is disabled.
- A written disconnect notice.
- A heating or electricity source that is currently disconnected.
THE NEXT REGULAR ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PERIOD WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1, 2026. HOUSEHOLDS WHO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS CAN APPLY BEGINNING OCTOBER 1. ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS CAN APPLY BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1.
REQUIRED INFORMATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE:
- A copy of the most recent heat and electric bill.
- The social security number of each household member, regardless of age. This must be provided for each household member to be eligible. At least one household member must provide social security number documentation for the household itself to be eligible.
- Documentation of gross income for all members living in the home.
WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS (April - September):
Households that did not apply for LIHEAP Regular Assistance in the current program year may still apply for Weatherization. Contact a local Family Services Office or email [email protected] for more information.
For more information contact [email protected]
HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR
Each year, low income families in our seven county area struggle to pay their energy bills. As the cost of energy rises, the need for emergency assistance also rises. You can help your neighbor through a crisis by making a one time or monthly donation to Black Hills Energy Corporation, Alliant Energy or MidAmerican Energy. The application process is simple. Just click on the appropriate link below and complete the application process. Your donation will stay within your area to help your friend, family member or neighbor in need.
The Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) EARL Transit Program is the Region 1 public transit provider under the Iowa Department of Transportation. Transit provides door-to-door service in the Northeast corner counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek.
All rides are open to the general public, including persons with disabilities. We provide rides for work, appointments, getting groceries or running errands. EARL Public Transit vehicles are ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible.