Iowans struggling with paying their electric bill help can seek assistance from several different governmental and privately funded assistance programs.
Iowa’s share of federal LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funds are managed through the Bureau of Energy Assistance. This program helps Iowans to pay their energy bills where they lack sufficient means. Applications are accepted at your local community action agency from November through April. Households needing assistance that have elderly or disabled members can apply in October as well. Income guidelines for this program follow 150% of the federal poverty level for your household size.
Another federally-funded program available to residents in Iowa is the Weatherization Assistance Program. This program can pay to provide your home with upgrades that will save you on energy costs.
If you live in rural Iowa, you can also benefit from the RECare program. The Rural Electric Cooperatives provide funds to help pay for heating bills of those in need.
Other Iowa electric companies have their own assistance programs. To find out what may be available through your utility company, ask. Their customer assistance department can help you find out what help they can provide.
There are two primary methods for obtaining electric bill assistance through Iowa aid agencies.
- Your local Department of Social Services office is the main gateway to receive government aid. This aid is provided either directly through DSS or through a community partner agency. In that case, DSS would provide the referral to the agency.
- The United Way provides publicly supported organizations with donations from individuals and corporations. These dollars go towards community aid organizations that meet with poor families and provide budget counseling. The easiest method to get started with a referral is to call United Way at 211. A representative can refer you to the closest aid organization and answer any initial questions that you have.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
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