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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 15.00 Crisis Assistance

Effective 09/01/2023

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● Probate o With a probate sale, the owner of the property passed away and didn’t leave a will that left the home to anyone. To complete the probate process, the personal representative or estate attorney will need to sell the property. The proceeds from the sale will be distributed to the heirs after all debts and taxes are paid. o A probate sale can be a lengthy process because the court supervises the sale and approves the transaction. It’s often a complicated task, which is why many personal representatives hire an estate attorney to handle the process.

15.21 Heating Unit Repair/Replacement - with Weatherization Payment for repair or replacement of a heating unit (boilers included) done in conjunction with work performed by the Weatherization Program (up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines). A maximum payment of $1,500 per eligible homeowner may be made.

All work paid from ECIP funds must comply with the Iowa Weatherization Assistance Program Heating System Standards and is incorporated with work being done by the Weatherization Assistance Program. All heating unit repair/replacement work paid with funds from the crisis program must pass inspection by the CAA’s Weatherization QCI inspector.

Units supplying in-floor radiant heat (boilers or water heaters with a pump) can be repaired/replaced.

Funds can also be used to pay for hook-up of an LP tank to a new heating system (including the line from the tank to the house), and LP tank regulators that must be replaced.

15.22 Heating Unit Repair/Replacement - NOT with Weatherization Payment for a tune & clean (when necessary to resolve crisis), repair or replacement of a heating unit (boilers included) not done in conjunction with work done by the Weatherization Program (up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines). A maximum payment of $4,000 per eligible homeowner (includes those purchasing a home on contract but not those with a rent-to- own agreement) may be made (this component does not apply to renters). Proof of ownership is to be maintained in the file. Such proof may include the county assessor’s page for the property, manufactured home title, etc. If the customer is buying the home on contract, appropriate documentation verifying a legal purchasing contract is in place is required. Heating unit repairs and replacements may be made at any time during the year.

There is no limit to the number of times a heating unit can be repaired using crisis funds. However, should repairs need to be made more than once to a heating unit in a program year, the total amount of repairs cannot exceed $4,000 in that program year without a waiver from the CAA Unit. If a heating unit requires more than one repair in a program year, contact the state for further guidance.

ECIP heating unit tune & clean/repair/replacement funds are for homeowners only (also eligible is a trustee who is living in the home), and they must be residing in the home at the time of application/assistance. The only exception would be the parent transferring the title to their children, while remaining in the home, in order to exempt it as an asset. LIHEAP customers with a life lease on a home that has been deeded to their children/family member(s) are eligible for heating system repair and replacement.

An additional maximum amount of $200 in ECIP funds (regardless of if it is a first inspection or a re-inspection) may be paid for an audit of the replacement work to be done and the Weatherization inspection (by an agency Auditor, HVAC Technician, QCI inspector, or a Weatherization Program staff person who has completed Weatherization-provided Furnace or Combustion Health & Safety