SELECT Americans can automatically get 83% off their energy bills as part of a new round of credits.
Many states offer financial assistance to low-income Americans so they don’t lose vital utilities if they can’t pay the full amount.
Some Americans can get 83% off their energy bills next month (stock image)[/caption]
In Illinois, this is done through its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is nationwide federal initiative from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Residents can apply by entering their address on the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies website.
Should they qualify, a local agency will send money to their utilities company to help make energy bills more affordable.
In October, those Illinois customers with companies of Ameren, ComEd, Nicor, People’s, or North Shore could get up to 83% taken off their monthly energy bill instantly.
Discounts will vary though, as the size “depends on your fuel type and your household income,” according to the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies.
Madison County is specifically offering assistance on natural gas, propane, electric bills, and furnace assistance on October 1 to four different groups of residents who apply and qualify for the LIHEAP program as well, per the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
They include adults 60 and older, individuals with disabilities, families with children under the age of six, and households that have already gotten a disconnection notice or have 25% or less in propane tanks.
All other households through LIHEAP can start applying November 1.
Applications are accepted and funded on a first-come, first-serve basis through August 15, 2026, or until the money runs out.
Eligibility criteria for all Madison County applicants include total household income being below 60% of the Illinois state median.
The median varies depending on household size.
For example, one resident would need to have income below $39,979, while a household of eight would only have to be making under $106,099.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
Several types of documentation are required when applying.
They include proof of gross income from all household members that are working for the 30-day period prior to the date of the application.
Energy bills: by the numbers
- 64% of Americans whose household pays a monthly electric and gas utility bill say those bills have increased compared to a year ago.
- 63% of billpayers indicate that their electric and gas utility bills are adding to their financial stress.
- 48% of all Americans say that rising electric and gas utility bills for consumers like them is a bad sign for the economy.
- 60% of Americans say they are not familiar with the state or local regulatory body that determines their utility bills. In a separate open-ended question, around 9 in 10 respondents could not correctly name their specific regulatory body.
Source: PowerLines
Those new to LIHEAP must additionally provide Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all household members.
Copies of current heat and electric bills within the last 30 days before the application date are also needed.
Renters who provide a copy of their lease agreement showing their heating costs included can get cash assistance as well.
Some other documents may be needed as well, including Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) details if applicable.
Those with questions can visit the LIHEAP page on the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website or call 1-833-711-0374.
CONTINUED SAVINGS
Some Illinois residents living in Carbondale, located about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, can get their hands on a $300 energy credit as well if they attend a workshop from electric and natural gas services provider, Ameren.
It will be held on October 2 between 9 am and 4 pm local time at the Carbondale Civic Center, with energy advisors on-site to review attendees accounts and offer savings tips.
Those who complete an educational workshop on the company’s clean energy programs will get a $300 credit in their Ameren Illinois account.
Other states are offering similar credits worth hundreds of dollars.
A California program offers as much as $183 to select residents and small business, for example.
North Dakota’s LIHEAP is also helping with $1,100 payments in October.
