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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
For many Illinois households, energy costs place a continuing stress on the family budget. Some households are forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to live without. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide a onetime benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type, geographic location and available funding.

An overdue bill or cutoff notice isn’t required, you don’t have to own your home or pay energy bills directly to qualify, and your fuel doesn’t have to be natural gas or electricity in order to receive assistance.

Emergency assistance may be available if your household is disconnected from an energy source needed for heating and/or a delivered-fuel supplier has refused to deliver and the tank contains 10 percent or less. Assistance for reconnection will only be provided to households that have made a good faith effort to maintain their energy services, or can pay a portion of the amount owed for reconnection.

First Step: Application — Use the listing below to find the agency that serves your area. Contact the agency and tell them that you want to apply for the energy program. If you’re home bound, special accommodations can be made to assist you in applying. The worker who takes your application will explain:

• • The program requirements
  
• • The type of assistance available
  
• • Your rights under the program
  
  
• When you apply for assistance, take the following with you:
  
• • Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to application date
  
• • A copy of your current heat and electric bills (if you pay for your home energy directly)
  
• • Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members
  

If a member of your household receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you must bring their Medical Eligibility Card. If you rent, bring proof of your rental agreement that states your monthly rent amount.

Second Step: Notification — The agency will determine if you’re eligible based on the information provided. You’ll be notified of eligibility status within 30 days. The agency will also notify your energy provider of your participation in the program if you have an energy bill.

Third: Payment — If you’re eligible, the local agency will make the appropriate payment to your energy provider(s) on your behalf or, in some cases, directly to you.