Statewide Iowa (RI) — As the federal government shutdown continues, agencies that help the needy pay their heating bills are in limbo, like Iowa’s LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Danna Buls is executive director at MATURA Action Corporation, which serves low-income residents — similar to Upper Des Moines Opportunity or Mid-Sioux Opportunity in our area. In the past, Buls says the government had workarounds to pay for programs like LIHEAP, but now she says it’s “unnerving” not knowing how much her organization will receive this year.
Buls says even if funds are delayed, people should still be protected from having their heat shut off, as she says utilities know which people qualify for assistance and they’re blocked from disconnecting them…