The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for income-qualified households beginning Oct. 1.
The Tri-County Opportunities Council, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program in Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside counties, has announced funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane, and/or electric bills and with furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.
The program will begin taking applications Oct. 1 for older adults (60 years and over), individuals with a disability, families with children age 5 years and under, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25% in their propane tank.
All other income-eligible households can start applying Nov. 1.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through Aug. 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit can return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit, if needed.
Households that are customers of federally funded utilities/energy vendors must be at or below 60% of the state median income to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.
The income guidelines are as follows: one person, $3,441; 2 people, $4,500; three people, $5,558; or four people, $6,617. Go to www.tcochelps.org or liheapillinois.com to view income limits for households with five or more members.
Households that are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.
The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on either the federal poverty guidelines or state median income, and the number of people living in the household.
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months, so by applying early, propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.
Applications will be taken at the Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Stark, and Whiteside intake offices. Online and mail-in applications, walk-ins (for imminent or disconnected households), and appointments will be available.
To submit an application, you must submit all required documentation:
- Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
- For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers for all household members. Individuals without an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can still apply, and Tri-County Opportunities Council will advise accordingly.
- A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
- Cash assistance is available for renters who can provide a copy of their lease/rental agreement showing their heating costs are included in the rent.
Other documents may be needed based on your household situation.
Income-eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas will receive a monthly discount on their natural and/or electric bill through the Low Income Discount Rates. Visit powerbilldiscount.com for more details.
Call the Tri-County Opportunities Council at 1-800-323-5434 or visit tcochelps.org for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.
