Jasper County residents who owe money on their electric and gas bills and received financial assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, are now receiving disconnect notices. Under the so-called LIHEAP program, regulated utilities can not shut off a customer’s service during the winter months. But that moratorium expired Tuesday, April 1st. Since then, the Director of Jasper County’s General Assistance Office, Connie McQuiston, has already heard from Alliant Energy customers who have received disconnect notices. She says the maximum assistance her office can offer to help pay an electric, gas, or water bill is $300.

“With us having to cover all of the utilities, we just don’t have those funds available from our taxpayer dollars. We are funded through property taxes, and we have to be a little bit  more stringent on how those funds are utilized.”

This is the second straight year McQuiston’s Office expects to handle more assistance requests, due to IMPACT Community Action Partnership not having any emergency assistance funds available. To receive assistance through the Jasper County General Assistance Office, a resident must supply income verification, their disconnect notice, and their utility bills. McQuiston says it’s best to call the office to set up an appointment. The phone number is 641-791-2609. Jasper County General Assistance Office Director Connie McQuiston is today’s guest on Let’s Talk Newton.