LIHEAP | News

Elderly Iowans shouldn't be left out in the cold

The Ames Tribune (Ames, IA)
August 21, 2002

It’s still summer, but for Iowa administrators of a federal home heating assistance program, there’s a chill in the air. President Bush has proposed cutting funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, to $1.4 billion, down from $1.7 billion last year and down from $2.25 billion at the program’s peak. His reasoning? Last winter was pretty mild, and overall energy costs are lower.

But relying upon a weather report, as any Iowa farmer can tell you, has its limits. And energy costs everywhere are not consistent. Those in charge of administering the funds have called the real effect of such a cut “draconian” and “devastating.”

Iowa received $31.1 million of the federal funding last year when the program was funded at the $1.7 million level federally. Bush's proposal would cut $5.5 million from Iowa’s assistance. That means many people applying for federal assistance for their heating bills would be turned away.

Who are these Iowans? You can throw away your stereotypes of welfare recipients. These are typically elderly people on fixed incomes, who live in climates that raise the need for either heating or cooling — just like a lot of Iowans. There are approximately 200,000 households in Iowa that would be eligible for LIHEAP funds, according to Jerry McKim, chief of the Bureau of Energy Assistance in Des Moines.

Historically, 30 to 40 percent of those eligible households apply for LIHEAP help. That compares to a national average of about 15 percent. That’s an indication that this program is particularly important for Iowa.

And weather trends notwithstanding, Iowa had a record high number of applicants last year, even in a mild winter. The winter before, when snows and cold weather froze the state, this program was literally a lifesaver.

What do Iowans do when this help is not available? They do what good Iowans do — they pay their bills. And how do they make ends meet? A survey by McKim’s office two years ago revealed frightening trends. Elderly Iowans first will give up buying necessary medication and second give up buying food. The survey showed 20 percent went without medical care to pay for heating bills. More than 12 percent went without groceries. Home heating is literally eating the elderly alive.

Iowa’s senators, Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley, have been supportive of the LIHEAP program. A Senate subcommittee has recommended funding this year at the $1.7 billion level, similar to last year. When the House comes back from recess, a subcommittee there is expected to begin working on its version of a bill. Rep. David Obey from Wisconsin is a key House member supporting the program. Unfortunately for Iowa, the House delegates from this state have been less supportive than the senators.

At the state level, two years ago during the hard winter, legislators shoveled home weatherization money into the energy assistance program. But that was at best an extra blanket. The weatherization money is supposed to go for more insulation in roofs or weather stripping on windows and doors to keep winter at bay permanently. Using it to pay heating bills is like pouring it down the drain.

Guidelines for eligibility for the federal program set an income limit for a single-person household at $13,290. Add $4,620 for each additional family member. Elderly or disabled people may apply for assistance beginning Oct. 1. All others may apply Nov. 1.Applications and information are available at Mid-Iowa Community Action, 126 S. Kellogg Ave., or call 956-3333.

National priorities to protect the homeland are important. Yet here is a program that actually keeps people alive and in their own homes. Heading off to war is yet another apparent aim of the administration, and thus a cost. But who pays? At least some of those shouldering the load will be elderly Iowans left out in the cold.