August 25, 2011
State Announces Start of Home Heating Assistance Enrollment
Seniors, People with Disabilities Can Apply for LIHEAP Program Beginning Sept. 1
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Energy Assistance today announced that seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Sept. 1.
For the first time, some LIHEAP clients will have the option of choosing between the traditional Direct Vendor Payment (DVP) plan or the new Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The PIPP is available to eligible LIHEAP clients who are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas. Under PIPP, the eligible client will pay a percentage of their income, receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill, and receive a reduction in overdue payments for every on-time payment they make by the bill due date. The traditional DVP plan is a one-time payment.
Due to the start-up of PIPP, LIHEAP clients may experience longer wait times when applying for assistance, but should ultimately receive better service delivery. Clients must bring all required documentation when applying for assistance including:
• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date.
• A copy of their current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for their energy directly).
• A copy of their rental agreement (if they are renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information.
• Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members.
• Proof that their household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low income families, in which heating bill payments are made on behalf of households.
A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,361; a two-person household up to $1,839; a family of three can earn up to $2,316; and a family of four can earn up to $2,794. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.
LIHEAP applications are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies around the state. These agencies will begin accepting applications on a first-come, first served basis from the elderly and people with disabilities on Sept. 1.
Households with children under the age of five can begin applying for LIHEAP assistance beginning Oct. 1. Individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can apply beginning Nov. 1.
Customers will be served on a first-come first-served basis until funding is exhausted.
For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to LiheapIllinois.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1 877 411-WARM.
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The below information is from the Illinois LIHEAP website
Welcome to LIHEAP!
For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on a family’s budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to survive without. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help eligible low income households pay for winter energy service.
Program Year 2012 Home Heating (Winter) Program: Download FY2012 LIHEAP Brochure.
PY 2012: New Option Available to Customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas or Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas
For the first time, LIHEAP clients with the listed utility providers will have the option of choosing between the traditional Direct Vendor Payment (DVP) plan or the new Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Under PIPP, the eligible client will pay a percentage of their income, receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill, and lower their overdue bills for every on-time payment they make by the bill due date. The traditional DVP plan is a one-time payment. The choices will be explained to LIHEAP clients during their application visit.
PY 2012 Plan Ahead and Bring Proper Documentation
Because of the new PIPP program, LIHEAP clients should plan for up to 30-45 minute wait times during their application visit. Do not forget to bring all required documentation at that time including:
· Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date.
· A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if energy directly paid for).
· A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information.
· Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members.
· Proof that household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
PY 2012 Application Schedule
Beginning September 1, 2011 Seniors, People with Disabilities
Beginning October 1, 2011 Households with children under age 5
Beginning November 1, 2011 All other eligible households
Am I Eligible?
If your household’s combined income for the 30 days prior to application is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as shown in the chart below, you may be eligible to receive assistance. If you rent, and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, your rent must be greater than 30% of your income in order to be eligible to receive assistance.
How Do I Apply?
Contact your local Community Action Agency to make an appointment to apply for LIHEAP. Locate the Community Action Agency nearest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
LIHEAP Success Stories
Draft 2012 LIHEAP State Plan and Program Integrity Supplement -- NOW AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AND COMMENTS>
For additional assistance, please feel free to call the
Energy Assistance Hotline at (877) 411-9276
# For Illinois LIHEAP visit: http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/Illinois+LIHEAP/
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