The application period for Iowa's LIHEAP has been extended to May 29 from the prior date of April 15. Newspapers report the deadline for applications has been extended in order to better assist households who have been impacted by the struggling economy, though anyone who is eligible is encouraged to apply.
The state has projected it will serve over 95,000 households with LIHEAP funds this year, up at least 10 percent over 2008 application levels. Operation Threshold, a community action agency serving Black Hawk, Buchanan and Grundy counties has seen a nearly 12 percent increase in the number of people applying this season, and expects many more households to qualify as a result of the extension. Households with incomes up to 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines are eligible.
In Connecticut, the Department of Social Services extended by two weeks (through March 31) its deadline for fuel authorizations to help residents with the cost of deliverable heating fuels. This extension is only for authorizations chargeable to basic benefits, crisis assistance or safety net assistance for households that still qualify for these benefits.
The last day that a Connecticut household can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits is May 1, unless the household is utility heated and has a shut off notice for its primary source of heat. The last day that a utility-heated household with a shut off notice for its primary source of heat can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits is May 15.
Connecticut has projected it will provide LIHEAP to over 105,000 households this year, a 22.5 percent increase over 2008 statistics.
Source: IA and CT newspapers
