Des Moines MidAmerican Energy Bill Help 2026–27: LIHEAP Opens Oct. 1 for Some, Nov. 1 for Everyone, Plus Iowa's Winter Shutoff Protection
Updated: 4 days ago
If you live in Des Moines and are struggling with your MidAmerican Energy bill, the most important program to know is LIHEAP, the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In Iowa, getting approved for LIHEAP does two things. It sends a one-time payment to your heating utility, and it protects you from having your heat disconnected for nonpayment from November 1 to April 1.
For the 2026–27 season, applications opened October 1, 2026, for households with someone 60 or older, someone with a disability or a household in crisis. Everyone else can apply starting November 1, 2026. Applications close April 30, 2027. Funds go out first-come, first-served, so apply as early as you're allowed.
This guide covers who qualifies, the 2026–27 income limits, how to apply in Polk County through IMPACT Community Action Partnership, extra crisis help and what MidAmerican itself offers. It is based on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), IMPACT and MidAmerican Energy.
Step 1: Call MidAmerican if You're Behind
MidAmerican says that if you're worried about your bill, have a past-due balance or received a disconnection notice, you can chat with the company in My Account or call 888-427-5632 to talk through your options. Call before the disconnection date and write down what you agree to.
Tell MidAmerican you're applying for LIHEAP. The IUC says Iowa rules give customers who tell their electric or gas utility they are applying for LIHEAP a 30-day stay of disconnection so the community action agency can process the application.
LIHEAP in Iowa: Who Qualifies
LIHEAP helps qualifying low-income Iowa households pay part of their residential heating costs for the winter. Both renters and homeowners can apply. According to Iowa HHS, household income must be at or below 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. The 2026–27 limits (October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027) are:
Household size | Annual gross income limit |
1 | $31,920 |
2 | $43,280 |
3 | $54,640 |
4 | $66,000 |
5 | $77,360 |
6 | $88,720 |
7 | $100,080 |
8 | $111,440 |
For households larger than eight, add $11,360 per extra person. HHS says income is annualized and is usually measured over the 30 calendar days before the day you apply, the most recent calendar year or the most recent 12 months.
How much you'll get. HHS says LIHEAP is not meant to cover your whole energy bill. The benefit depends on household income, household size, type of home and heating fuel, among other factors. HHS has not published 2026–27 benefit amounts.
How it's paid. The IUC says the payment goes directly to your utility or heating fuel vendor, with limited exceptions for renters whose heat is included in rent. IMPACT says households that heat with propane may qualify for a propane delivery.
Iowa's Winter Disconnection Moratorium
From November 1 to April 1, the IUC says all Iowa electric and natural gas utilities observe a moratorium on disconnections for qualifying LIHEAP customers. Iowa rules bar utilities from disconnecting service during this five-month period for households certified by a community action agency as eligible for LIHEAP or its companion weatherization program.
When you qualify, your utility is notified, and you're protected from disconnection of heating service for nonpayment during the moratorium.
Keep paying what you can. The IUC recommends LIHEAP-certified customers keep paying toward their bills during the moratorium, so you don't build up a large balance and face a shutoff once the moratorium ends.
How to Apply in Des Moines: IMPACT Community Action Partnership
In Iowa you apply for LIHEAP through the community action agency in your county. For Polk County, and also Boone, Jasper, Marion and Warren counties, that's IMPACT Community Action Partnership.
Phone: 515-518-4770
Email: info@impactcap.org
Options: IMPACT offers phone and in-person appointments, an online application, and a mail-in application with copies of all required documents. It also holds pop-up events; check IMPACT's county location page.
Interpreters: IMPACT can provide an interpreter during your appointment if you ask when you book.
If you can't find your county's agency, Iowa HHS says to call the Community Action Agencies Unit at 515-776-8871. The IUC also offers an online LIHEAP eligibility tool and an online application portal.
Who can apply in October. IMPACT says early applicants are households with elderly or disabled members, or households at risk of disconnection. Everyone else applies starting November 1.
Crisis Help: Shutoff Notices, Disconnections and Broken Furnaces
IMPACT says other funding may be available throughout the year to help prevent shutoffs, reconnect service and repair or replace furnaces:
Disconnection notice, already disconnected or non-working furnace: call 515-518-4770 or email info@impactcap.org during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
After hours: if you're disconnected or your furnace stops working outside business hours, call 515-681-8472 or email energyassistance@impactcap.org with your name, address and phone number.
Furnace repair or replacement: Polk County and the other IMPACT counties can call 515-518-4770 to apply.
Water bills. IMPACT says it occasionally has funding for water bills. If your water has been disconnected, you have a disconnect notice or you're at risk of defaulting on a payment arrangement, you may qualify for help with charges, fees and taxes. Payments go directly to the water provider. Call 515-518-4770 to ask whether funds are available.
Weatherization
Weatherization lowers heating and cooling costs by tightening and insulating homes and checking that appliances are safe. IMPACT says households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or approved for LIHEAP, can apply at 515-518-4770. Priority is set by a state formula based on fuel use and household data, and not everyone who qualifies will be served.
If Your Application Is Denied
IMPACT says you can appeal if your application was denied or if wrong facts or improper procedures were used to decide your eligibility, benefit amount or services. Ask IMPACT for its LIHEAP appeal and hearing procedures. Complaints about a utility can be filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission.
What MidAmerican Offers
Payment options: call 888-427-5632 or use My Account chat to discuss options if you have a past-due balance or disconnection notice.
I CARE: a donation program for heating bills and weatherization. MidAmerican adds 25 cents for every $1 donated, and donations go to a community action agency in your area.
Paying for someone else: anyone can make an anonymous payment on another MidAmerican customer's account by calling 888-427-5632.
Des Moines Energy Help Checklist
Check the HHS income table above.
Call IMPACT at 515-518-4770 to book a LIHEAP appointment (October if 60+, disabled or facing shutoff; November 1 for everyone else).
Tell MidAmerican you're applying to get a 30-day stay of disconnection.
Gather 30 days of income proof and your latest bills.
Keep paying what you can during the moratorium.
Ask IMPACT about crisis, furnace and water help.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the shutoff protection start? November 1, for LIHEAP-certified households, and it runs to April 1.
I'm not a senior or disabled. When can I apply? November 1, 2026, unless you're at risk of disconnection, in which case IMPACT treats you as an early applicant.
Does LIHEAP pay the whole bill? No. It's a one-time supplemental payment based on income, household size, home type and fuel.
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