Illinois' LIHEAP program now accepting applications | Families

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Energy Assistance announced Friday that seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program beginning Tuesday, September 4.

Clients interested in applying must bring all required documentation including:

• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date.
• A copy of their current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for their energy directly).
• A copy of their rental agreement (if they are renting) showing whether utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information.
• Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members.
• Proof that their household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low income families in which heating bill payments are made on behalf of households.

A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,396; a two-person household up to $1,891; a family of three can earn up to $2,386; and a family of four can earn up to $2,881. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.

Applications for the program are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies around the state. Those agencies will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis from the elderly and people with disabilities on Sept. 4. Applications will be taken until funding is exhausted.

Those households with children under the age of five can begin applying for LIHEAP assistance on October 1 and individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can apply beginning November 1.

For more information on LIHEAP's local administering agencies and the program itself, log onto LiheapIllinois.com or call 1-877-411-WARM.

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