Iowa · LIHEAP · Heating season 2026-27
Iowa LIHEAP income limits.
Check your household against Iowa's heating assistance limit, then see dates, benefit range and how to apply.
Iowa limits heating help to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: $64,300 a year for a household of four and $31,300 for one on the federal FFY 2026 tables. If the state keeps that percentage for FFY 2027, the projected limit for four people is $66,000, labelled projected because the state has not posted it in the sources read.
Your household
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Iowa LIHEAP income limits by household size
Iowa uses 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for heating, which is below 60% of state median income at most sizes. At seven or more people 200% would pass the federal ceiling, so the ceiling is used. FFY 2026 limits are the state standard applied to the ACF tables that were mandatory for October 2025 to September 2026.
| People in household | FFY 2026 limit (a year) | Per month | FFY 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,300 | $2,608 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $42,300 | $3,525 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $53,300 | $4,442 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $64,300 | $5,358 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $75,300 | $6,275 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $86,300 | $7,192 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $95,426 | $7,952 | $95,426 |
| 8 | $97,546 | $8,129 | $97,546 |
| 9 | $99,667 | $8,306 | $99,667 |
| 10 | $101,787 | $8,482 | $101,787 |
| 11 | $105,975 | $8,831 | $105,975 |
| 12 | $114,225 | $9,519 | $114,225 |
The FFY 2027 column is projected: it applies 200% (held to the federal ceiling) to the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines ($15,960 for one person plus $5,680 for each additional person). It is not an adopted state figure.
When Iowa LIHEAP is open
- Heating assistance: The Clearinghouse lists October 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
- Official start: Iowa's plan says households with an elderly or disabled member may apply on October 1, a month before the official season start of November 1.
- Crisis: Year-round crisis (ECIP) is available through September 30.
Dates come from the state's FFY 2026 plan as compiled by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse notes that actual application periods depend on available funding. OCS announced the first FY 2027 LIHEAP block grant funding release on October 9, 2026 (about $3.6 billion, 90% of funds under the continuing resolution signed September 2, 2026), so states are receiving money now, but each state still sets its own opening date and rules.
What Iowa LIHEAP pays
The plan's regular assistance matrix scores households on points: poverty level (0 to 75% of poverty earns 8 points, 76 to 100% earns 6, 101 to 125% earns 5, 126 to 200% earns 4), targeting factors (fixed income, age 60+, disabled, child under 6, detached dwelling earn a point each; subsidized housing and heat in rent subtract), and fuel type. Each point is worth $40. The minimum benefit is $80 and the maximum is $800, and liquid propane and fuel oil customers get at least $800.
ECIP crisis bill-pay services (service continuity, reconnection, low or empty tank emergency delivery) share an $800 maximum. Primary heating equipment repair or replacement has a $4,000 maximum. Crisis uses 150% of poverty rather than 200%.
Who gets priority and who is excluded
Households with someone 60 or older or with a disability can apply from October 1. The points system also favours lower poverty levels, fixed incomes and young children.
Subsidized households where primary heat is in the rent can qualify for regular assistance if they have a secondary energy burden with a utility vendor. Subsidized households where both heat and electric are in the rent are ineligible.
How to apply and what to have ready
Where to apply: Iowa's statewide LIHEAP application (listed in the state's plan).
- Income for every household member, verified over a 30-day, 60-day or 12-month period and annualized by the program.
- Savings records: over $50,000 in savings costs the household 4 points in the benefit calculation.
Iowa's plan says liheap-apply.iowa.hhs.gov is the statewide application; the page link taken from the plan; not verified, so confirm the link before applying.
The agency that runs the program is the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Community Action Agencies unit.
LIHEAP pages for other states
Minnesota Indiana Maryland Colorado Tennessee Washington Connecticut Kentucky Oregon Kansas Nebraska
Frequently asked questions
What is the LIHEAP income limit in Iowa?
Iowa uses 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. On the FFY 2026 federal tables that is $31,300 a year for one person and $64,300 for four people. For FFY 2027 the projected figure for four people is $66,000.
How much does Iowa LIHEAP pay?
The plan's regular assistance matrix scores households on points: poverty level (0 to 75% of poverty earns 8 points, 76 to 100% earns 6, 101 to 125% earns 5, 126 to 200% earns 4), targeting factors (fixed income, age 60+, disabled, child under 6, detached dwelling earn a point each; subsidized housing and heat in rent subtract), and fuel type.
When can I apply for LIHEAP in Iowa?
Heating assistance: The Clearinghouse lists October 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
How does Iowa work out my LIHEAP benefit?
Iowa awards points for poverty level (up to 8), targeting factors such as age 60+, disability, a child under 6, fixed income and a detached dwelling, and fuel type. Each point is worth $40 in FY26, with an $80 minimum and an $800 maximum.
Is this the official Iowa limit?
No. It is a lookup of published federal tables and state plans. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services decides eligibility, and rules for crisis, cooling or equipment help can differ from the heating limit.
Is the FFY 2027 number for Iowa final?
No. It is a projection that applies the state percentage to the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines. Wait for the state notice before relying on it.
Sources
Read November 1, 2026. Figures are copied from these primary sources; anything calculated or projected is labelled on the page.
- Iowa FFY 2026 LIHEAP model plan (federal copy, Clearinghouse)
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, LIHEAP income eligibility for states and territories
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, state and territory program dates (FY 2026 plans, updated November 25, 2025)
- ACF Office of Community Services, LIHEAP IM2025-02 (poverty guidelines and state median income, mandatory for FY 2026)
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse home, news of the FY 2027 funding release (October 9, 2026)
- Iowa LIHEAP benefit matrix FY26 (Clearinghouse copy)
- HHS ASPE, 2026 poverty guidelines (basis for the projected FFY 2027 figures)
Lookup, not an eligibility decision
Limits shown are for heating assistance. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and its local offices decide eligibility and can change rules during the season. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.