Illinois opens enrollment for LIHEAP energy financial assistance program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity revealed details on this year’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program this week to help low-income households with utility costs.

$226 million will be provided to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane, and electricity bills and furnace assistance.

Families that earn up to two times the federal poverty level can receive LIHEAP payments. State leaders encourage all eligible families to apply.

“Every Illinoisan deserves to be able to keep the lights on and stay warm as we head into winter,” Governor JB Pritzker said.

Springfield agency awarded grant to help people enroll in health care

For the month of October, the program is accepting applications from:

• adults 60 years old or older

• individuals with a disability

• families with children five years old or younger, and

• households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank.

Other households can apply on November 1. The application period closes Aug. 15, 2025, or when funds are exhausted.

“LIHEAP is an essential program for families across Illinois,” DCEO Director Kristin Richards said. “This priority application system will ensure families with the most critical need have the resources and information necessary to secure reliable access to energy utilities.”

More than 333,000 households in the state received LIHEAP funding last year, with the average amount of financial assistance being $724 per household.

Families can apply at Help Illinois Families’s website. Anyone needing assistance can call 1-833-711-0374 for help in one of 30 languages.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.