The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are encouraging families across Illinois to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps income-eligible households with the cost of natural gas, propane, and electricity.
Applications opened October 1st and will remain open through August 15, 2026, or until program funds are exhausted.
This year, customers of Ameren, Nicor, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas who receive an annual LIHEAP benefit will automatically have their monthly gas bill reduced under the Low-Income Discount Rate program.
HOW TO APPLY:
Eligible families can apply NOW by:
Visiting the DCEO website
Visiting their local LIHEAP agency (a list of partners is available online)
Calling 1-833-711-0374 for multilingual assistance
The Help Illinois Families program will provide $240 million in total support for energy bills and furnace repairs.
PRIORITY APPLICATION SCHEDULE:
Applications are being accepted in phases to prioritize those most in need:
Underway now – Older adults (60+), individuals with disabilities, families with children age 5 or under, and households facing disconnection or low propane supply
November 1st – All other income-eligible households
ELIGIBILITY:
Families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level qualify for assistance. Examples of 30-day gross income limits:
1-person household – $3,332
2-person household – $4,357
3-person household – $5,382
4-person household – $6,407
AVAILABLE PROGRAM INCLUDE:
One-Time Direct Vendor Payment: Payment made directly to the utility provider
Crisis/Reconnection Assistance: Emergency help for households facing shutoffs
Furnace Assistance: Repairs or replacements for inoperable heating systems (homeowners only)
Home Weatherization Program: Energy-efficiency upgrades to reduce heating costs
In 2024–2025, LIHEAP provided support to 341,303 Illinois households, with an average of $686 per household.
According to DCEO Director Kristin Richards emphasized that LIHEAP has helped more than 340,000 households per year and will continue to provide critical assistance to families who need it most.
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