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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual Appendix A – Sample Press Release

Effective 09/01/2023

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APPENDIX A – SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

Applications will be taken starting November 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Community Access Division, Community Action Agencies Unit, and has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs.

The________________________________________________________(community action agency) _____at________(address)_________in_____________(town)___________will be taking applications from November 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024 (October 1st for households with an elderly/disabled member). LIHEAP customers will need to furnish some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, and proof of all household members’ gross income for the past 30 calendar days, the most recent 12 months, or for the past calendar year.

This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs. The program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors. Those factors include total household income, household size, dwelling type, and type of heating fuel, among others.

Eligibility for participation is established according to the following federal income guidelines:

Household Size Annual Gross Income* ** 1 $29,160 2 $39,440 3 $49,720 4 $60,000 5 $70,280 6 $80,560 7 $90,840 8 $101,120

* For households with more than eight members, add $10,280 for each additional member.

** All income will be annualized. Income will be collected for a 30-day period.