November 1, 2023 – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is encouraging additional income-eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support with utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity. Applications expanded today, November 1, to include income-eligible households that are disconnected or facing imminent disconnection.
Eligible families including those that are disconnected or facing imminent disconnection can apply by visiting helpillinoisfamilies.com or by visiting their local agency (a list of partners throughout the State can be found here). Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.
All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Families who earn up to 200% the federal poverty level, have a household with a senior, a child or children under 6, and/or a person with a disability, along with households that provide proper documentation of disconnection or imminent disconnection from a utility are now eligible to receive support through LIHEAP. A chart with eligible income thresholds can be found on the webpage and below:
|
FAMILY SIZE (HOUSEHOLD) |
30-DAY GROSS INCOME |
|
1 |
$2,430 |
|
2 |
$3,287 |
|
3 |
$4,143 |
|
4 |
$5,000 |
|
5 |
$5,857 |
|
6 |
$6,713 |
“The State of Illinois’ LIHEAP program continues to provide vital support to families in need of utility assistance across Illinois, and starting today, income-eligible households that are disconnected or facing disconnection can apply at helpillinoisfamilies.com,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards.
Income-eligible households in addition to October priority period households and households that are disconnected or facing imminent threat of disconnection will be able to apply for assistance during the upcoming application opening period December 1, and applications will be accepted through August 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program in program year 2024 will provide $237 million to eligible families for energy bill assistance.
This year, the tiered application system was reinstated to ensure families most in need are able to apply first. The first group eligible to apply is expected to represent more than half of households that apply for the program.
- November 1 – Income-eligible households who fall under the following categories:
- October priority period households
- Households that are disconnected
- Households facing imminent threat of disconnection
- December 1
- All income-eligible households
LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy service providers on behalf of recipients. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year over 311,000 households received LIHEAP, with an average of over $1,000 per household.
