Help Available to Iowa Households With Overdue Utility Bills

State officials say low-income Iowa households may be eligible for up to $2-thousand dollars to help pay overdue utility bills. Under this new program, Iowans who’ve had a pay cut or lost their job due to COVID-19 are eligible. The money will go directly to their utility company to pay off electric, natural gas or water bills. Iowa households had racked up nearly 30-million dollars in unpaid electric and gas bills by August. State director of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Christine Taylor, said they’re seeing “a lot more households that have never needed assistance before.” Applications can be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the state grants.