The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has launched a new program aimed at helping Iowa residents impacted financially by COVID-19 to pay utility bills. The Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide eligible households with up to $2,000 towards electric, natural gas, and water bills if they are at risk of disconnection due to an inability to pay due to a COVID-19 related loss of income. Payments through the program will be made directly to utility providers and applied to the applicant’s account.
To be eligible to receive assistance, a residential electric, natural gas, and/or water utility customer must have:
- A primary Iowa residence with active residential utility accounts, renters may apply as long as the utility account is in the applicant’s name
- An unpaid utility bill balance or have previously entered into a payment plan with their utility provider
- An annual income that is 80% of the median family income, based on county and household size
- Experienced a COVID-19 loss of income (job loss, reduction in hours, reduction in pay) on or after March 17, 2020, that resulted in hardship in paying bills for electric, natural gas and/or water utility service provided between March 17, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2020.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, additional information, and to apply, visit iowahousingrecovery.com. Applications will be accepted between Oct. 8, 2020, and Nov.20, 2020, or until funding is depleted, whichever comes first. Assistance will be awarded based on application completeness and eligibility in order received until all funds have been exhausted.
The City of Dubuque is also offering financial assistance for qualified Dubuque renters and homeowners whose income has been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department’s short-term assistance program can assist with a portion of an approved households’ rent or mortgage and/or utility bills.
- The City of Dubuque Utility Billing Department is offering discounts on water, sanitary sewer, refuse collection, and stormwater fees to income-qualified customers.
- Payment plan options to help residents who have fallen behind on paying their monthly utility bill are also being offered.
For additional information on these programs, visit cityofdubuque.org/COVID19support or call the City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department at 563.586.4130, and the City of Dubuque Utility Billing Department at 563.589.4144.
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