MASON CITY – Under Iowa’s winter moratorium law, Alliant Energy customers who qualify for certain programs but are behind on their bill are protected from the annual shutoff, but time is rapidly running out.
An Alliant Energy spokesperson reached out to NIT this week, saying she “wanted to reach out again this year and provide an important update about the utility moratorium that will end on April 1. Customers who are behind on their bills from the winter months may begin to have their service shut off, but at Alliant Energy, that’s the last thing we want to do. I’m reaching out regarding the many resources available to customers here in Eastern Iowa and across the state. We want to encourage customers, no matter their situation, to reach out to us if they’re struggling with their utility bill.”
Under Iowa’s winter moratorium law, customers who qualify for LIHEAP or the federal Weatherization Assistance Program are protected from the annual shutoff of natural gas or electric service from November 1 to April 1. This means that customers who are behind on their bills from the winter months may have their service shut off beginning on April 1st. Customers qualify for LIHEAP if they make less than 200% of the 2023 federal poverty guidelines.
Last year, more than $35 million was distributed to Iowa residents to help with their winter heating bills. This includes nearly 23,000 Alliant Energy households in Iowa who received an average of $425.
Alliant Energy detailed their “Energy Assistance Options,” explaining that “customers who are behind on their bills from the winter months may begin to have their service shut off, but at Alliant Energy, that’s the last thing we want to do. There are many resources available to customers across the state. We want to encourage customers, no matter their situation, to reach out to us if they’re struggling with their utility bill. We don’t necessarily know what a customer is going through if they don’t tell us.”
Deadline to apply for LIHEAP is April 30. There is also crisis funding available through LIHEAP for customers who may qualify. For additional information, customers should visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/liheap.
Struggling Alliant customers should call 1-800-ALLIANT to possibly get connected with financial assistance, set up a payment arrangement or payment extension.
