With cold temperatures, LIHEAP heating assistance program looking to help

HIAWATHA — Individuals meeting at (or below) the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible to apply for the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) facilitated through the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. (HACAP) in nine Eastern Iowa counties: Linn, Johnson, Jones, Benton, Dubuque, Delaware, Jackson, Iowa and Washington.

Homeowners and renters living within these nine counties can apply for assistance online at hacap.org/energy through April 30. Applications can also be downloaded and submitted by mail to HACAP Energy Assistance at P.O. Box 490, Hiawatha, IA 52233 or by email to energy@hacap.org.

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating by providing a one-time payment to the heating utility.

To apply, applicants will need to provide the following documentation:

• Identification: Social Security cards for everyone in household or current Iowa Driver's License

• Heating/electric bill: Your most current heat and electric bill.

• Income proof: Wages, salary, Social Security or SSI, past year federal tax form

• Utility authorization release: Only if utilities are not under your name.

Additional information on LIHEAP can be found online by visiting hacap.org.