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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 5.00 Program Eligibility Requirements

Effective 09/01/2023

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residences in the state of Iowa and the customer moves from residence to residence in the same program year and requests that utilities are reconnected, contact the state LIHEAP office for further guidance.

LIHEAP customers must be living in their primary residence at the time of application.

Individuals on vacation (does not apply to snowbirds) or in a hospital, rehabilitation center, or other facility, short-term, are also eligible to apply because they are anticipated to return.

Exceptions may be granted by the CAA Unit on a case-by-case basis by submitting an email request.

If the eligible household resides in rental property, the unwillingness of the landlord to allow residential weatherization or other related home repairs shall not prevent the household from receiving home energy assistance.

5.41 Eligible Dwellings ● Single Family Homes ● Multi-Unit Buildings with two or more units (e.g., duplex, condo, apartment, townhouse, studio apartment) o If the utility bill is in a business’s name and the LIHEAP customer is required to pay the utility bill, the LIHEAP customer is eligible to apply for assistance. ● Non-subsidized housing ● Non-subsidized households where all energy utilities are included in the rent are eligible for LIHEAP Regular Assistance because the benefit amount is determined by a matrix, and does not depend on the amount actually owed by the household. These households are not eligible for Crisis Assistance unless they can demonstrate a measurable primary or secondary energy burden. (see Appendix D for more information). ● Subsidized housing ● Subsidized households where heat is included in the rent are eligible for LIHEAP Regular Assistance provided they have a secondary energy burden with a utility vendor (see Appendix D for more information). Subsidized households where both heat and electric are included in the rent are ineligible because the household’s energy burden is already reduced through the housing subsidy. ● RV or camper where someone is using it as a primary residence that has an energy burden. o Non-stationary campers or trailers must be documented showing that they have been stationary for at least 6 months prior to application date, in order to be eligible for benefits. Acceptable documentation could include a statement signed by the owner of the land in question, a rental agreement, etc. ● Halfway houses o Residents of halfway houses are eligible for LIHEAP only if the LIHEAP customer is directly responsible for payment of the utilities. ● Extended-stay motels o Eligible if the LIHEAP customer has lived there 6 months or longer and they have an energy burden (waivers may be granted in cases of displacement due to natural disasters). Documentation, such as a lease, rental agreement, or statement signed by the property owner or property manager, indicating the length of stay must be provided.

5.42 Ineligible Dwellings ● Subsidized households with no secondary energy burden with a utility vendor. ● Secondary home (e.g., vacation home, seasonal home) ● Group homes o Ineligible unless the LIHEAP customer is responsible for paying a share of the utility expenses (e.g., a LIHEAP customer lives in a group home with three other individuals. The heating bill is in the landlord’s name but residents each pay ¼ of the bill. The