The man in charge of administering Iowa’s low income heating assistance program, known as LIHEAP, says the cost of staying warm this winter may become a public health emergency. Jerry McKim says he is especially worried about some of the state’s older residents.
A report last month by the Iowa Utilities Board shows nearly nine thousand customers were involuntarily disconnected in September and October for nonpayment of bills. McKim says those people may face other dangers as they try to stay warm.
McKim says there are still funds available for those who qualify for heating assistance. He says he is very concerned that the number of people who can’t pay their bills will rise significantly if energy providers ask for and are granted rate increases in 2017.
