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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 15.00 Crisis Assistance

Effective 09/01/2023

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both parties. This is a federal directive and though agencies are not accountable for enforcing any agreements made between the landlord and the tenant both parties must be made fully aware that the intent of the benefit is to ultimately assist the tenant. The Landlord Verification Form is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa.

Owner-Occupied Households Applicants who have a past due balance for water-related charges at the time of application can be considered to be at risk of disconnection, and can therefore be served using LIHWAP Service Continuity. Approved households are to receive a benefit in the amount needed to assure continuity of service and to pay arrears, up to the limit of $2,500. Email the state LIHEAP office a completed Energy/Water Crisis Expenditure Limit Waiver Request to exceed the expenditure limit. The form is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa. NOTE: The use of waivers allows for the full payment of account balances of all water-related services rather than only amounts needed to ensure service continuity. For the benefit of households, and in line with the intentions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act’s COVID- 19 response measures, the state encourages agencies to pay balances to zero unless it would result in a disallowed or inappropriate cost.

Payments are only authorized to be made directly to water service providers per federal regulations. Third party payments may be issued with state LIHEAP office approval. Direct pay to a household is not allowed under any circumstances. Payments may be made towards drinking and wastewater arrearages and any associated fees, taxes, and charges, with the exception of a diversion fee.

15.83 Supported Expenses – Water The following expenses are supported by the LIHWAP program: ● Drinking water/wastewater utility past/back bills and amounts required to bring the account current ● Reconnection fees ● Reconnection deposits (if this is for first-time service with a particular water service provider, it is an unallowable cost) ● Fees that are standard for all customers (e.g., Water Tower charge) ● Non-sufficient funds fees for bounced checks that is part of the bill

15.84 Unsupported Expenses – Water The following expenses are unsupported by the LIHWAP program: ● Utility deposits for first-time new service with a particular water service provider ● Expenses for diversion fees or equipment tampering ● Repair, replacement, or installation of new home water systems/fixtures ● Wells or any other non-utility provided water system ● Energy and non-essential services (unrelated to water services)

Non-essential services may be considered Supported Expenses under the condition that failure to do so could result in the forced displacement of the impacted household. To be considered for inclusion, a clear and verifiable risk of displacement, such as a property lien held by the water service provider against the homeowner, must exist. Authorization to allow for the payment of non- essential services is at the discretion of the state LIHEAP office. A Non-Essential Services waiver may be submitted to the state LIHEAP office. The form is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa.