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Utilities and phone

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Illinois

Illinois's LIHEAP pays a one-time amount toward your heating bill, and Reconnection Assistance of up to $2,000 a year if your service is cut off or about to be.

Checked

From the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Community Assistance
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

People 60 and older can apply starting Oct. 1, 2026, a month before most others. You can apply online through Help Illinois Families or at the local agency for your county.

How to apply in Illinois

In person
You can apply directly at the local agency for your county. DCEO's Where to Apply page lists the agencies county by county. For help filling out the online Request for Services form, call the Help Illinois Families call center.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Illinois

Who may qualify for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Income limit, one person, if your utility is Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas or Peoples Gas (program year 2027)$3,990 in the 30 days before you apply, or $47,880 a year, for one person (300% of the federal poverty level)
Income limit, two people, same utilities (program year 2027)$5,410 in the 30 days before you apply, or $64,920 a year, for two people
If your utility or fuel dealer is not one of those companiesIncome at or below 60% of state median income (the state doesn't post the dollar amounts)
What to bringProof of the last 30 days of income for everyone in the home, a heating or electric bill from the last 30 days, Social Security cards (or ITINs) if you have them, your lease if heat is included in rent, and proof of SNAP, TANF or similar benefits if you get them

Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (source 2)

What you may get

What Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) pays
One-time heating payment (FY 2027 state plan estimate)$58 to $2,564, paid to your utility, based on income, household size and energy costs
Crisis help (FY 2027 state plan)Reconnection Assistance of up to $2,000 per household a year if you are disconnected, have a disconnection date within 7 days, or your fuel dealer won't deliver and your tank is at 25% or less. Furnace Assistance helps homeowners who got LIHEAP and have no working furnace, until May 28, 2027 or until funds run out.

Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (source 4)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
Application period, program year 2027Oct. 1, 2026 to Aug. 13, 2027, or until funding runs out
Early sign-up for older adultsFrom Oct. 1, 2026: people 60 and older, people with a disability, homes with a child 5 or under, and homes that are disconnected, have a disconnection date within 7 days, or have less than 25% in the propane tank. Everyone else from Nov. 1, 2026.
Summer cooling helpNo separate cooling program in 2027. Help with gas and electric bills continues until Aug. 15, 2027 or until funds run out.

Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (source 2)

How Illinois is different

Where Illinois's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.

  • People 60 and older can apply a month before most other households
  • Customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas may qualify with income up to 300% of the poverty level
  • Older adults and people with a disability on fixed incomes may be re-enrolled by their local agency without a new application, with income checked every three program years
  • Reconnection Assistance can add up to $2,000 a year on top of the regular payment

Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (source 2)

Good to know

  • LIHEAP-eligible customers of the large gas utilities and ComEd also get a monthly Low Income Discount on their bill. Households that don't qualify for LIHEAP may still qualify for the discount; ask your utility.
  • If you are homebound, your local agency may take your application by phone, by mail or on a home visit.
  • Your local agency should tell you within 30 days whether you're approved, and pay your utility within 45 days after approval.

Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (source 2)

Free help

Free help with this in Illinois

More help in Illinois

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Utility Bill Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Utility Bill Assistance: How To Apply (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Utility Bill Assistance: Frequently Asked Questions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, FY 2027 LIHEAP State Plan (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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