Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program
For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on the family's budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to survive without. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible low income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location.
An overdue bill or cut-off notice is not repuired. You do not have to own your home or pay energy bills directly to be eligible for assistance. Your source of fuel does not have to be natural gas or electricity in order to receive assistance.
Emergency Assistance may be available if your household is disconected from an energy source needed for heating and/or a delivered-fuel supplier has refused to deliver and the tank contains 10% 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.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible to receive assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program if your household's combined income is at or below the following levels shown in the chart below. If you rent, and you heat and/or electric is included in the rent, then your rent must be greater than 30% of your income in order to be eligible to receive benefits.
| #
of People Living in Household |
*Gross
Income for 30 Days Prior to Application Date |
| 1 | $822 |
| 2 | 1,106 |
| 3 | 1,390 |
| 4 | 1,674 |
| 5 | 1,958 |
| 6 | 2,242 |
| 7 | 2,526 |
| 8 | 2,810 |
For each additional member add $284
*Income Guidelines are effective from Oct. 1, 1997 through Aug. 31, 1998
How Does It Work?
First Step: Application
Using the listing in this brochure to find the local agency that serves your area. Contact the agency and tell them you want to apply for the Energy Program. If you are homebound, special accommodations can be made to assist you in applying
The worker who takes your application to understand:
The program requirements
the type of assistance available
Your rights under the program
When you apply for assistance bring 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)
Prood of Social Security Numbers of all household members
If a member of your household receives AFDC you must bring their "Medical Eligibility Card"
If you rent, bring proof of your rental agreement that must state your monthly rent amount
Second Step: Notification
The agency will determine if you are eligible based on the information provided. You will be notified of eligibility status within 30 days. If you are eligible, you will be informed of the abount of assistance you can receive.
The agency will also notify your energy provider of your participation in the program if you have an energy bill.
Third Step: Payment
If you are eligible, the local agency will make the appropriate payment to your evergy provider(s) on your behalf or, in some cases, directly to you.