[Last updated: 12/11/2025]
Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 515-242-5655
Website
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2026 Funding
$52,890,747
*including additional $846,350 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
Heating: 200% Federal Poverty Level
Crisis: 150% Federal Poverty Level
Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level
LIHEAP FY 2026 Benefit
Heating: $80 minimum, $800 maximum
Crisis: $5,200 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2024
Heating: 82,693
Year-round Crisis:12,699
Weatherization: 977
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 - April 30
Crisis: Year-round
Weatherization: Year-round
Utility
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Black Hills Energy
Free home energy assessment
Schedule a free appointment with a professional energy advisor who will evaluate your home's efficiency and show you ways to save money and energy. Advisor may complete air sealing and other energy-efficient upgrades.
888-552-8019
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
EMBRACE IOWA
The Des Moines Register's Embrace Iowa program takes place annually and provides a benefit for up to $500 for emergency relief for households in need. Applications will be considered for households at or below 150% of Federal HHS poverty guidelines. Applications are accepted from November 1 - January 15. All applications must be made at an Iowa Community Action Agency.
Alliant Energy
Hometown Care Energy Fund
Recipients include older citizens on fixed incomes, families struggling with medical problems or a job loss, and eligible people still trying to pay off last winter's high heating bills. Funds are administered by regional community action programs. Alliant Energy adds a 25 percent matching gift for every customer contribution. Apply at local Community Action.
Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Cares
The company matched customer contributions dollar for dollar. Local assistance agencies determine customer eligibility and distribute funds.
Atmos Energy
Sharing the Warmth
Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills in Lee county. All donations go directly to local people in need that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines. Contact Southeast Iowa Community Action.
Access Energy Cooperative
ReCare
Customer donations fund an energy assistance program to assist the elderly and other low income consumers pay their winter heating bills.
319-385-1577 or 1-866-242-4232
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative
RECare
Customer donations provide local community action agencies with funds to help low-income families pay for winter heating bills and weatherize their homes.
641-932-7126
Consumers Energy
Operation Round-Up®
Members donate small change each month to cooperative members needing economic assistance with their energy bills. Annually Consumers Energy distributes the funds to local community action agencies to assist low-income families with winter heating bills and winterization of their homes.
800-696-6552
East-Central Iowa REC
RECare
Customer donations provide local community action agencies with funds to help low-income families pay for winter heating bills and weatherize their homes.
1-877-850-4343
Harlan Municipal Utilities
Project Share
The Project Share program is a voluntary contribution program. A committee consisting of representatives from HMU, Shelby County Human Services and local Community Action Agency (West Central Development Corp) determines the distribution of funds received. All traditional types of households are eligible for assistance.
712-755-5182
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Operation Round-Up®
Member donations provide funds to organizations and individuals in need and also for family emergency disasters. Fill out an application online for an individual or family or print an online application to mail.
1-800-2258-4535
Mid-American Energy Company
I CARE
I CARE assists those who are unemployed, living on fixed or low incomes or experiencing a family crisis by helping pay their heating bills or making their homes more energy efficient. To qualify, customers must also meet their state's LIHEAP guidelines.
1-888-427-5632
Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Customer donations provide funds for non-profit organizations, individuals in need and family emergency disasters. Application forms are available at the REC office and should be received for review no later than the 15th of the month at the end of each quarter.
712-755-2166 or 1-800-234-5122
Northwest Rural Electric Cooperative
1-800-383-0476
Operation Round Up
Customer-donated funds may be used to help non-profit charitable organizations, individual family disasters, worthwhile community causes and school projects.
1-800-766-2099
Prairie Energy Cooperative
RECare
Members provide funds that are distributed by local community action agencies to help pay winter heating bills and to assist in weatherization of low-income consumers' homes.
Southwest Iowa Rural Cooperative
Operation Round-Up®
Individuals or organizations requesting Operation Round-Up® donations do not have to be members of Southwest Iowa REC, however they do need to be a resident located in one of these 11 counties, including Adair, Adams, Cass, Decatur, Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, Taylor and Union.
