Iowans who are 60 or older can apply for help with winter heating bills now, while everyone else has to wait until November 1. For a person living alone, the income ceiling is $31,920 a year, which is 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline. Iowa Health and Human Services says applications are accepted through April 30.
A month’s head start for older households
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay part of their heating costs for the winter, according to Iowa HHS. Households with a member who is 60 or older, or disabled, could start October 1. All other households may apply beginning November 1.
The early window is set by household, not by the applicant’s own birthday. The page opens October 1 to households with members at least 60 years old or disabled, so a couple in which only one spouse is 62 qualifies for the early date, and so does a disabled adult who is younger than 60…