If you are behind on your electrical bills, Alliant Energy is urging customers to reach out for help.
Tuesday, April 1, started the possibility that customers can have electricity turned off for non-payment of delinquent bills.
“The first thing we recommend is you please reach out to us at Alliant Energy to start discussing options,” said Veronica Stober, manager of credit and collections at Alliant Energy. “We can discuss setting up something like a payment plan to get caught up on the bill.”
For people who are below the federal poverty levels, there is also an ability to sign up for Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) for residents of Linn, Johnson or Jones County or Community Action of Eastern Iowa for residents of Cedar County.
Federal poverty guidelines (those making below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines) from 2023 are for households of one making less than $30,120, households of two making less than $40,880, households of three making less than $51,640, families of four making less than $62,400, families of five making less than $73,160 and families of six making less than $83,920. For each additional member of a family, add $10,760.
Applications for LIHEAP assistance are available from now to April 30. For additional information, customers should visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap.
“If people applied and are accepted, they can still also be approved for crisis funding through Hawkeye Area Community Action Program,” Stober said.
Stober said last year 22,000 Alliant Energy households participated in programs that assisted with winter heating bills, receiving an average of $432 in assistance.
“We know every one can fall behind sometimes in their lives, and we want you to know we’re here to help customers through this,” Stober said.
If customers want to apply for assistance, they can either call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) or they can also visit AlliantEnergy.com where they can make payment assistance applications confidentially.
“It’s important that you stay in communication, no matter which options you choose,” Stober said.