Assistance from Iowa City Utility Discount Program.

A number of utility bill assistance programs are available to Iowa City families, including a discount Program that is paid for using donations from the community. The savings, which can be up to 60 or 75% on some bills (water or garbage) can be combined with low income energy bill help, including LIHEAP, or payment plans from utility companies.

The discount will be arranged by the City of Iowa in Johnson County. They process applications and pass the savings to qualified customers. However, it is paid for using donations from the community, and funds come from a wide variety of sources. Find more information below on donating to or applying to the Iowa City Utility Discount Program.

Applications to the Iowa City Utility Discount Program

Savings are of course only provided to low income families that meet the terms and conditions in place. It also depends on whether enough money has been collected from donations in order to pass the discounts on. The city does not have a full audit or review process in place. They have instead created another innovate way to test whether an applicant is qualified or not, and that is by them relying on federal government and/or state of Iowa screening processes.

The way the Iowa City team determines who is eligible for the Utility Discount Program is using state/federal data. What they do is require applicants to be enrolled into one or more of the following public assistance programs. They include Elderly Tax Credit, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), SNAP food stamps, the Family Investment Program (FIP), Childcare Vouchers or Assistance, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or cash aid from the Family Investment Program. Proof of being enrolled into those programs will be needed.

 

 

Verification is needed in order to get assistance and/or discounts on utility bills. Applicants need to provide an Authorization for Release of Information. This will allow Johnson County DHS as well as the Revenue Division of the City of Iowa City to verify that public assistance is being received by the applicant. Another resources that is part of the discount program is the Social Security Administration or the State of Iowa.

Utility bill discounts, for water or sewer, are only in effect for one year. This also applies for LIHEAP grants too. These are not never ending assistance programs. This means applications are needed each and every year by the low income family.

The Iowa City Utility Discount Program requires those conditions to be met. Of course, only low income families or those living in poverty tend to get those government benefits. This in effect means the discounts are for low income customers. Note that often the customer will also be eligible for heating as well as energy bill help from LIHEAP.

The total savings provided on utility bills is substantial. It will be up to 60% on water, storm water, or sewer bills. In addition to that, an additional 75% discount can be given on trash as well as recycling costs. Those savings will free up the customers income for paying other critical utility bills, such as light, electric, or heat. For more information, dial (319) 356-5066.

 

 

Utilities Assistance Fund Donations

As noted, the Iowa City Discount Program only exists due to generosity of the community, namely discounts. There is always more money needed.  Both the federal government as well as state of Iowa offer deductions on the income taxes for donators. There is just two way s to do this though, and one is to stop at Iowa City City Hall and the other way it to main in a contribution.

The Customer Service Department is a resource for donations and applying for utility bill help. Whether discounts, payment plans, heating help or something else. That number is (319) 356-5066.