(Undated)– Officials say this winter may be colder for some low-income Iowans.
Jerry McKim, Chief of the Iowa Bureau of Energy Assistance, says it stems from a reduction in funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
McKim expects a five percent increase in the number of Iowans applying for assistance and a 30 percent drop in payments due to a cut in federal funding.
McKim adds he doesn’t see any downward trend in the number of Iowans needing assistance anytime soon.
Last year, over 83-thousand households received just over 300-dollars toward their winter heating costs.
McKim says the sign-up for seniors and people with disabilities is currently underway. All others who are eligible can apply in November. You can do that locally through Upper Des Moines Opportunity.
