C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
1805 South Banker Street
Effingham IL 62401
217.342.2193
LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP assistance for program year 2026 opens on October 1, 2025.
Once the LIHEAP Program Year opens, you will need to click on your county below to schedule an appointment.
DO NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE…
Disconnected from your electric service,
​OR
If you are 25% or less on a delivered fuel and cannot get a delivery on your own,
OR​
Trying to move into a new address, and you have an old bill.​
Call your county’s CEFS outreach office to make an appointment.
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LIHEAP assistance for program year 2026.​
October 1, 2025, is open to:
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Older adults (60+) and Disabled
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Families with children 5 and under (must have proof of age)
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Disconnected households and imminent threat (all groups)
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November 3, 2025, is open to:
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General population
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Program year 2026 will run October 1, 2025 to August 15, 2026 or until funding is exhausted.
For more information:
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CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation
LIHEAP
PO Box 928
Effingham IL 62401
217-342-2193 ext. 2127
Email us at cefs@cefseoc.org
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or contact your local CEFS Outreach Office
Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
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Help with utility bills
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LIHEAP provides:
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Direct Vendor Payment – a one-time benefit, paid directly to the utility company(s) for eligible households
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Reconnection Assistance - help for households that are disconnected from their utilities or are within 7 days of shut off. This also includes households that use a delivered fuel source who are below 25% in their tank and have been refused delivery on credit.
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Cash Benefit – a one-time payment for eligible renters whose utilities are included in their rent.
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Emergency Furnace - repair or replacement of furnace for eligible homeowners.
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PIPP - Percentage of Income Payment Plan is a benefit choice for participating Ameren customers. Due to funding, there will be NO new PIPP enrollments.
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Funding for LIHEAP is provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services and by the State of Illinois. More information is available at www.liheapillinois.com.
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Click the Your Rights button below to find information on appeals.
2025 LIHEAP INCOME GUIDELINES
Guidelines effective 7/1/2025
The Ameren Warm Neighbors/Cool Friends Program may also provide assistance to Ameren customers only.
WARM NEIGHBORS/COOL FRIENDS INCOME GUIDELINES 2025
