LIHEAP application: IL residents urged to apply now for assistance to prevent utility shutoffs

Gov. JB Pritzker and state officers are encouraging low-income households to use for help to pay their pure gasoline, propane and electrical companies by the Low-Earnings Residence Vitality Help Program (LIHEAP).

Households in peril of getting their utilities shut off ought to go to www.helpillinoisfamilies.com to use, or name the hotline for real-time help in over 30 languages at 1-833-711-0374. residents are inspired to use by Could 31, 2022.

Greater than $150 million in advantages is accessible for individuals who qualify. The state mentioned greater than 230,000 Illinois households have acquired utility help for the reason that LIHEAP was launched in 2021.

Further data on Illinois’ Low-Earnings Residence Vitality Help Program

The State of Illinois affords varied applications to assist eligible low-income households with utility help. These applications are open to ALL eligible low-income Illinois households who meet the factors, together with undocumented households. Whereas the quantity of assist varies based mostly on the wants of particular person households, this yr’s LIHEAP recipients have acquired a median of $930 per family. By way of LIHEAP, assist for eligible households consists of:

-One-time Direct Vendor Cost: All LIHEAP recipients usually obtain a one-time fee to assist with utilities payments.

-Disaster/ Reconnection Help: Funding is accessible for households in heating-related emergency conditions.

-Furnace Help: Based mostly on funding availability, Furnace Help could also be supplied to households that do not need an working furnace for his or her residence.

-UDAP: UDAP offers assist for present yr LIHEAP and Proportion of Earnings Cost Plan ( PIPP) prospects both on a utility’s disconnection checklist or in imminent risk of disconnection on account of an arrearage of $250 or extra. Households who obtain LIHEAP advantages routinely qualify for this program and don’t want to use individually.

-Residence Weatherization Program: The Illinois Residence Weatherization Help Program ( IHWAP) helps low revenue residents and households preserve gasoline and scale back vitality prices by making their houses and residences extra vitality environment friendly.