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	Consumer and Small Claims Court > Energy


	Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans

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	Avoiding Gas and Electric Shutoff - Payment Plans and Other Remedies Winter utility bills can create severe financial strains for many Iowans, especially for elderly Iowans on fixed incomes. If you cannot afford to pay your utility bills you have certain rights and remedies that can help you avoid disconnection. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	Avoiding Gas and Electric Utility Shutoff (video) (Separate Website) What to do when your utility bills are piling up and you can't pay them. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	Energy Assistance Programs Available The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income people pay for winter heating costs. The amount of money a person can get depends on household income and size, fuel used, and the type of housing. LIHEAP is not intended to take care of the whole bill. It helps cover costs where the need is greatest By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans


	New LIHEAP Rules Require Social Security Numbers and Protect Deployed Servicemembers Community Action Programs continue to help low-income Iowans pay home heating bills with ?LIHEAP? or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Iowa law protects families who qualify for LIHEAP with a ?winter moratorium? on shutoffs of natural gas and electricity. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	New Utility Regulations Offer New Protections to Customers Under new rules effective Setember 22, 2004, a third party my receive service in their name provided they are creditworthy. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	Reminder to Keep Paying on Utility Bills It is still very important for customers who get LIHEAP assistance to keep paying on their utility bill during this time. It can cost a lot to heat a house or apartment during the winter months. Not paying monthly bills during the winter months can result in a big problem next spring. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	Tenants and Utility Service Fees A recent Iowa Utilities Board ruling concerns who should pay any additional charges to monitor the costs of natural gas when tenants do not have individual meters. By: Iowa Legal Aid Read this in: Bosnian / Bosanski , Spanish / Español


	The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income people pay for winter heating costs. The amount of money a person can get depends on household income and size, fuel used, and the type of housing. LIHEAP is not intended to take care of the whole bill - it helps cover costs where the need is greatest. By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans


	Utility Customers Are Entitled to Reasonable Payment Agreements to Pay High Utility Bills People who have not been able to pay their high utility bills from last winter are not automatically in danger of having their utilities disconnected. Rules of the Iowa Utilities Board require utilities to offer customers an opportunity to enter into a reasonable payment agreement to avoid having utilities disconnected if the customer is not behind on a previous payment agreement. By: Iowa Legal Aid


	Utility Shut Offs As The Winter Moratorium Ends Many people fell behind on their utility bills during the winter. This means many utility customers will be getting notices. The notices will say their utility service could be shut off after April 1, 2003 if they do not pay their back bills. This resource looksat the options a customer has after the winter moratorium ends. By: Iowa Legal Aid


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