(Radio Iowa) – An analyst with the Iowa Utilities Commission says they are still waiting to find out when they will get 2026 funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Keetah Horras says local community action agencies have been taking applications for the program known as LIHEAP.

“With the shutdown now concluded, the community action agencies remained fully operational and are continuing to accept and process applications. Agencies are currently relying on 2025 carryover funds and limited state resources,” she says. She says the carryover and state funding have allowed them to process the applications as they come in. “As of November 5th, a total of 30-thousand-313 applications have been received statewide,” Horras says.

LIHEAP provides some funding to help pay their winter heating bills Horras says it could take time before the 2026 funding comes through. “Due to the shutdown, the federal shutdown. Payments to regulated utilities may be delayed until at least February. HHS is continuing to monitor the funding process,” Horras says.

You can find out more about the LIHEAP program on the Iowa Health and Human Services website.