CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – March 20, 2012 – Interstate Power and Light (IPL) Company, an Alliant Energy company, is reminding qualified Iowa residents to apply for Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds now through April 30, 2012. LIHEAP provides dollars to aid low-income households to help cover heating costs.
Alliant Energy reminds customers who are not current on their utility bills to take action prior to April 1, as the moratorium on disconnections in Iowa ends on April 1.
LIHEAP eligibility and payments in Iowa correspond with household size, income level, and home energy costs. For example, a family of four that earns approximately $33,525 annually or less, or a two-person family with earnings of about $22,065 or less, may qualify for energy assistance. For more information contact the local community action agency or visit dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA.
All customers are reminded to pay their bills on time. As of March 1, more than 71,232 IPL customers were behind on their bill. That number is down from the 74,508 at the same time last year.
For customers, Alliant Energy offers several options to make paying a bill convenient:
- Online payment – To make an instant online payment; use your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information. Go to alliantenergy.com/payonline.
- Pay by phone – Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) and follow the instructions in the interactive system. Have your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information handy.
- Automatic Payment – You can have your utility bill automatically deducted from your bank account every month. You can enroll through the My Account site at alliantenergy.com/myaccount.
- Paperless Billing – Allows you to receive, review and pay your bill online. You can enroll through My Account.
- Budget Billing –
Budget Billing spreads your energy costs evenly over a 12-month period. Alliant Energy calculates your average bill based on your current account balance, current fuel costs, anticipated fuel cost changes and the past 12 months of energy usage at your home. The budget bill amount is reviewed and adjusted, up or down, every six months. You can enroll through My Account.
- Western Union® Convenience Pay® – For just $1.00 you can pay your Alliant Energy utility bill with cash, check or money order at any Western Union® Convenience Pay® location. To find the nearest Convenience Pay location, call 1-800-551-8001.
- Western Union® Speedpay® – Call 1-877-429-4126 or visit alliantenergy.com/speedpay to pay using your credit card or checking account. Western Union® does charge a transaction fee for this service.
If customers want to speak to a customer service representative, call 1-800-255-4268. Since this is a busy time of year, Alliant Energy encourages customers to use the call back technology to reduce time spent waiting on hold.
Media Contact: Justin Foss, (319) 786-4788