LIHEAP LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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1 LIHEAP LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM We are dedicated to helping build stronger communities by addressing the effects of poverty on individuals and families.

2 The program is federally funded and administered by the Department of Health & Human Services Did you know? While the average household pays 5% of their income for heating costs, the low-income household pays 15-20% of their income for heating costs. UDMO contracts with the Iowa Department of DHS This program provides vital and often lifesaving assistance to many households This program is also known as LIHEAP, Energy Assistance, or Fuel Assistance Program The LIHEAP program dates back to the 70 s when the oil crisis started

3 INTENT OF PROGRAM LIHEAP does: LIHEAP is not designed to : help low-income households with a portion of their residential heating bill by providing supplemental assistance. Pay the household s total energy costs.

4 APPLICATION PROCESS Applications are taken November 1 st through April 30 th UDMO takes in over 6,000 application in our 12-county service area through our Outreach centers In addition, we process over 2,00 applications by mail for our automatically-eligible households (elderly or disabled, on a fixed income with less than $15,000 in savings and were approved last year. During October we process apps for households with a disabled person or a person 60 years of age or older. These are our priority clients and the State allows us to serve them first.

5 Your most recent heat and electric bill. The amount makes no difference. The bills are required to verify you have an account and that your allotment will be properly credited to your heat account. Social Security Number verification and birthdates for each of your household members Proof of your household s GROSS income. Wage earners need check stubs or federal tax form. For those on a fixed income {such as SS, SSI, Veteran s benefits and pensions} a copy of the check, award letter or bank statement (if funds are directly deposited). Farmers and self-employed need to bring their most recent federal tax form. IF you receive FIP or SSI, bring your Medicaid card. ALL income requires verification, including unemployment, alimony and child support. Additional information on following page

6 INCOME VERIFICATION PERIOD Our client has the option to choose their income verification period. Depending on their situation, the client may choose: 1. The past 3 months (90 days) OR 2. The past 12 months (12 months from the application date) OR 3. The previous calendar year (January through December). NOTE: Farmers and self-employed should use their most recent income tax form OR 4. Current income alternative: 30-day income INCOME GUIDELINES 150% of the CURRENT Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The household must be vulnerable to the rising costs of energy costs.

7 Payments TYPE OF PAYMENTS MADE 1) Direct to heat supplier 2) Direct to client when the client s heat is included in their rent or the client has special circumstance Amount Received Determined By: 1) Type of Housing Income based on family size Type of fuel and Other targeting factors. Example: Elderly, disabled, young children No household is entitled to a certain amount or from of assistance from this program. Households must meet the income guidelines and there must be program funds available before payments can be made.

8 Client Notification At the time the client applies they are given a letter telling them if they are eligible. If so, the letter will state the dollar amount approved and that funds will be sent to their heat company. Payments may take up to 3 months before a client sees the credit on their heat bill. Approval An approval does allow moratorium protection, but it does not guarantee a payment will be made on your account. All payments are contingent upon the availability of Federal funds. Payments are made on a first comefirst served basis. If the client is approved for assistance, they can only apply once during a heating season. Denial If the client is over the income guidelines, the client may reapply anytime through April 30 th. Medical Waiver Households over the income guidelines may be eligible for benefits through our medical waiver component. Medical Expenses must be documented, paid and nonreimbursable. There are also income guidelines for this waiver. If the client meets those guidelines a letter will be provided explaining the medical waiver and that they may be eligible. The client will have to provide eligible medical receipts within a specified time frame.

9 DISCONNECTION MORATORIUM LAW In 1984, a State law was passed by the Iowa State commerce Commission, now referred to as the Iowa Utility Board (IUB). The IUB is the agency that regulated and makes rules for all natural gas and electric companies. The IUB is responsible for making sure all regulated (natural gas or electricity( utilities follow the moratorium law. The law forbids regulated utilities from disconnecting any customer who has qualified for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Weatherization Program between November 1st and April 1 st. IF the client has a deliverable fuel such as propane or fuel oil, they are not protected under the Moratorium Law for their heating. Deliverable vendors are not regulated.

10 Vendors Before the Program starts, each participating vendor (energy supplier) must sign a Vendor Agreement with UDMO. Some of the major provisions include: 1. Client s LIHEAP allotment will be used only for heating costs. 2. The funds will remain on the client s account until expended. 3. ALL INFORMATION FROM UDMO WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL! 4. THE CLIENT WILL NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OR TREATED DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER VENDOR CUSTOMERS. 5. Vendors agree to State monitoring of funds and compliance with the Vendor Agreement. PLEASE NOTE: Every effort is made to maintain client confidentiality. When taking applications it is important to remember that many applicants may not feel comfortable applying for a government-assistance program. Many may be easily embarrassed or discouraged from applying by the manner in which the staff conduct themselves. It is absolutely essential to handle each applicant with care, tact, kindness and dignity at all times. Vendors should also extend the same consideration to the client.

11 We receive approximately $3.3Million for LIHEAP for regular assistance Did you know? We actually only serve 30% of the eligible population. We have run out of money only twice in the past 20 years. The average payment last year was $460 per household, and this included a supplemental payment.

12 OTHER PROGRAMS We also have other programs within the Energy Program, but funding is limited and we don t usually advertise these: SUMMER CONTRACTING In the summer we contract with participating deliverable vendors for delivery of propane and fuel oil for the upcoming winter heating season. We began this program in Last year, we contracted over $368,439 in lp and fuel oil. This year we contracted $322,721. SUMMER COOLING Fans and air conditioners for medically necessary households. A this time,. However, we do not have funding for this program. We have received federal funds for this program more than several times in the past when the temperatures have been extreme for an extended period of time. Last year, UDMO received over $159,142 for crisis assistance. We have crisis money for heatrelated emergencies. We have a limited amount of money for: 1. Furnace repair/replacement; this is for homeowners only. We replace heating systems that contractors determine unsafe. We do not replace heating systems because they are old or inefficient. 2. Out of fuels- we help clients that are out of lp or fuel oil obtain fuel 3. Disconnect, reconnect, service continuity deposit money. To help clients regain or maintain electric and/or natural gas service 4. Space heaters, blankets and temporary shelter in heatrelated emergencies.

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