Federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is unknown at this point, but IMPACT Community Partnership continues to host early application sign-up events throughout Jasper County. Two have already been held in Newton this month at separate locations, and another is occurring in Colfax from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The early application period is for households with elderly or disabled members. Today’s sign-up is at the Colfax Public Library, where appointments have been scheduled through 12:30 p.m.. Walk-in’s to the library at 25 West Division Street in Colfax are welcome after that time. 

The proposed federal budget zeroed out funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but both the Senate and House had proposed bills at the time of the shutdown to increase total funding.

Some states have paused the program, but Iowa has not. The general application period for all households begins November 1st. Eligibility is primarily based on household income, specifically, 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which means a family of four making just over $64,000 annually would qualify for assistance.

The winter moratorium on utility shut-offs starts November 1st.