T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM MICA’s LIHEAP is not being affected yet by the goverment shutdown. Marshalltown households which might be eligible can still apply.

Iowa winters bring cold temperatures to Marshalltown, with the average high around 34 degrees and the average low around 18. Normally, the cold temps arrive toward the end of this month, and last to the beginning of March, causing heating problems for low-income households.

Families in those households can apply for LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program helps around 6 million households in the country keep warm during the winter. However, the federal government shutdown and the firing of the entire LIHEAP staff by President Donald Trump in April have caused uncertainty and delays in getting the funds to families.

In Marshalltown, Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) helps households apply for LIHEAP. Resource Development and Communications Coordinator Abra Dougherty said for the time being, the program through MICA will not be affected.

“We are still in our fiscal year 2025 funding year, and are able to process applications,” she said. “Payments are contingent on federal funding, but they can still be protected.”

MICA’s contract year ends Dec. 31, Dougherty said. In normal years, the staff could have the next contract year funding ready by then.

“There is a bit of an overlap, but currently we do not have that due to the shutdown,” she said.

Even if LIHEAP payments to heat vendors are delayed, families will still be protected by the moratorium through April 1.

The moratorium is a state-specific program. Some states have it and others do not, but Dougherty said fortunately Iowa does. Established in 1983, it protects LIHEAP recipients from shutoff from Nov. 1 through April 1.

In order to qualify for LIHEAP, she said an individual or family must have an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit. They also need to have at least one person living in the household with legal status and must have a utility burden.

“This can be paying a utility company for heat or included in rent,” she said.

Dougherty said families can apply for LIHEAP anytime until April 30. While online applications are not being accepted on the MICA website at this time, people can go to liheap-apply.hhs.iowa.gov for eligibility prescreening.

Applicants will need to provide specific documents:

• Social Security numbers for all household members. Adults can also use an Iowa driver’s license instead of a Social Security number;

• A copy of the most recent heat and electric bill;

• Documents proving gross income for the entire household.

Dougherty said LIHEAP is a one-time payment for the heat vendor. How long the funding lasts is dependent on the family and their utility burdens.

“Some families with lower bills can stretch their LIHEAP award over a few months,” she said. “Others, it covers a month or even less of their bills. The amount a family receives is calculated through a matrix that takes into consideration household size.”

As of yesterday, Dougherty said the number of LIHEAP applicants is comparable to last year’s at the same time.

“We are not preparing for a larger increase at this time, but also understand we could see a rise in applications due to loss of other essential supports,” she said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.