The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers assistance to low-income households to better afford the rising cost of energy through direct financial assistance, energy counseling, outreach and education. Particular emphasis is placed on serving the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income individuals in our seven county service area of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby counties in Illinois. The program also includes an emergency furnace repair or replacement component for homeowners.

LIHEAP will provide a one-time payment for eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount of payment is determined by household size, fuel type, and geographic location. If you rent and your utilities are included in your rent you must pay more than 30% of your income in order to receive a benefit from the program. Reconnection assistance may be available if the household is disconnected from an energy source needed for heating and/or a delivered fuel supplier has refused to deliver and the tank contains 25% or less. Emergency furnace assistance is available for homeowners for repairs or a replacement of the heating equipment if necessary to provide heat to the household.

Funding is provided by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services by a Block Grant and by the State of Illinois. It is administered by the Office of Energy Assistance at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. More information is available at LIHEAPILLINOIS.COM on the web.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

If your household's combined income is at or below 150% of the poverty level guidelines, you may be eligible to receive assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Eligibility is based on the entire household's gross income for the 30 days immediately preceeding the application date.

The following income guidelines are effective from September 1, 2006 through August 30, 2007. For each additional household member add $425. There will be new guidelines for FY 2008.

For more information about the LIHEAP program call us at (217) 342-2193 extension 127.

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