House & Apartment

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help pay for some utilities. Learn more about the basics of LIHEAP. This includes natural gas, propane, or electric heat. 

LIHEAP Eligibility

LIHEAP payments range from $170 to $2,020 per year. The amount you can receive depends on your household's size, your household income, and how your home is heated. For more information, call the Help Illinois Families call center at 1-833-711-0374.  

To apply for LIHEAP, you have to meet the income limit. Your household’s total income for the past 30 days must be at or below 200% of the poverty level. This income number is your gross income before taxes are deducted. Social Security benefits do not count as gross income. You can check if your 30-day household income meets the threshold to qualify by visiting the Help Illinois Families website. If your income is close to the limit, you may apply and allow your local agency to make a decision.

If your rent includes your heat or electric, then your rent must be greater than 30% of your income. Paying for utilities through your landlord does not affect your eligibility. You can also check Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) or your local agency to see if you qualify for any other aid.

You may qualify for LIHEAP regardless of immigrant status.

Applying for Assistance

The LIHEAP application period is October 2, 2023, to August 15, 2024. Otherwise, until funding is exhausted. 

Apply for LIHEAP by visiting the Help Illinois Families website to submit a request for services form, or by visiting your local agency. You can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.

The local agency will respond to you by mail within 30 days from the date you apply.

If your application is approved, the grant will be issued either to you or the utility company. This grant will happen within 15 days of their decision. The agency will notify your utility company after your application is approved. You should continue to pay as much as you can by the due date while you are waiting for the credit on your utility bills.  

The agency will notify the utility company after your application is approved.

If your application is denied, learn how to appeal a denial of LIHEAP benefits.

To receive a utility for the first time, you need to contact the utility company. Learn more from Signing up for public utilities.

Reconnection Assistance and Furnace Assistance

Furnace Assistance is for homeowners who received a LIHEAP energy assistance benefit in the 2024 Program Year. Furnace Assistance benefits are for households whose existing heating systems are non-operational or otherwise unsafe. Furnace Assistance may include repair or replacement costs to restore a vital heat supply.

Reconnection Assistance may be provided when your household is going to have a utility turned off within 7 days. This is called "imminent disconnection status." Assistance may also be provided if your utility is already disconnected.

Furnace Assistance is provided until May 31 2024, or until your local agency uses up its allocation funds. 

Reconnection Assistance and Furnace Assistance is provided within 48 hours from your application completion. Otherwise, 18 hours from the date and time your application is complete when:

• The temperature at the time the application is complete is below 32°F,
• The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rules or similar local laws do not protect your household, and
• Reconnection is the only available remedy. For example, your household does not have:
  • Alternate shelter,
  • Temporary means of heat, or
  • You are homebound.

Reconnection and Furnace Assistance is limited to $1,200 per household per year, and is based on the minimum amount to disconnect.

How long the qualification lasts 

Your low-income consumer qualification with LIHEAP lasts up to a year. You must renew your low-income customer status with LIHEAP every year.

Need Help?

If you need help at any point during the application process, please call 1-833-711-0374.
 
For more information, please visit the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website.