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 help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.
LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services and the
state of Illinois. Energy assistance is provided by local community
action agencies or not-for-profit agencies throughout the state.
You may contact the agency provider in your area to apply for
assistance.
LIHEAP will provide a one-time benefit
to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount
of the benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type
and geographic location. An overdue bill or cut-off notice is not
required. 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 disconnected 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 that pay a portion of the amount owed for
reconnection.
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