Low-income Iowans struggling to pay their electric, natural gas and water bills can now receive up to $2,000 to help them avoid disconnected service. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Friday she will use federal CARES Act funding to launch the Residential Utility Disruption Prevention program, which will help Iowans who have lost income due to the coronavirus. 

"For Iowans who lost their job or saw their paycheck shrink as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will help them keep the power on and their water running," Reynolds said in a news release. 

The program is open to Iowa homeowners whose primary residence is in Iowa, as well as to renters whose utility accounts are in their own name.

To qualify, applicants must either have an unpaid utility bill balance or have already entered into a payment plan with a utility provider. They must have an annual income under 80% of the median family income, which is based on county and household size. For a family of four in Polk County, the upper limit would be $71,350, according to a county-by-county breakdown published by the state.