MICA's Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) helps low-income families and individuals pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. The grant results in a one-time payment for an eligible household's heating costs. This payment is designed to provide supplemental assistance based on several factors, including:

• Household income
• Household size
• Dwelling type
• Type of heating

LiHEAP is not designed to pay for an entire winter's heating costs, but instead is setup to give low-income families an opportunity to prioritize their spending over the winter months. LiHEAP generally runs from October through April for the elderly. For other families and individuals, the program starts in November and continues through April. In 2009, the date was extended and assistance was available through the month of May.

To find out more about LiHEAP, please contact your local county Family Development Center or MICA Basic Life Services Coordinator Paula Arkema at 641-752-7162 ext. 107.