The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program helps eligible individuals and families pay for home heating costs. Millions in LIHEAP funds will be available starting October 1, 2024 for select groups, and applications open November 1, 2024 for all other income eligible households. The application period runs through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. For additional information about income eligibility levels, necessary documentation, and where to apply call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-877-411-9276.
Addressing a concern with your utility service - electric, natural gas, local telephone, sewer, or water - can be time-consuming and frustrating. Our consumer services counselors provide assistance to consumers in the resolution of informal complaints. Counselors can be reached at 1-800-524-0795.
Effective January 1, 2024, Illinois law prohibits utility disconnections when temperatures are forecasted to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This rule prohibits both electric and natural gas utilities from disconnecting customers for non-payment on days when the temperature is predicted to rise to 90+ degrees or when the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch, advisory, or warning.
Customers facing disconnection due to arrearages should contact their utility to enroll in deferred payment programs. Applications for the state’s LIHEAP are being accepted until August 15, 2024, or until funding is exhausted. To see if you qualify, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.
Winter RulesEach year between December 1 and March 31 winter disconnection prohibition rules are in effect for eligible residents who use electric or gas to heat their homes. Under the rules, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) participants; electric space heating customers; and military personnel/veterans shall not be disconnected for non-payment during this period. The commitment excludes disconnections related to theft, tampering or safety.
Other residential customers or master-metered apartment buildings shall not be disconnected for nonpayment of a bill or deposit where gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises during the previous winter unless:
Cold weather rules also go into effect on days for eligible customers when the temperature is forecast to be at freezing or below on those days/weekends/holidays.
To protect accounts from disconnection customers with past due balances should contact their utility to enroll in a deferred payment arrangement. Customers who have not already applied for LIHEAP or PIPP are encouraged to do so, as this will also protect their gas and/or electric services in addition to gaining assistance for their bills.
If your electric or gas services have already been disconnected, depending on your circumstances, beginning in October and November you may also qualify for reconnection for less than the full amount owed. Contact your utility for details. You can also contact the ICC’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 for further guidance or to file a complaint.
Consumers can lower utility bills by reducing energy usage. Home Energy Assessments help consumers identify where your home is losing energy and recommend fixes. To book an appointment:
New low-income discount rates for eligible natural gas customers whose incomes are up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are expected to be offered in October 2024. Similar rates are expected to be available for eligible electric customers by 2025, subject to ICC approval.
Natural Gas Customers – Beginning October 2024In November 2023, the ICC approved proposals from Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas establishing low-income discount rates within the companies’ individual rate requests for natural gas delivery service.
Depending on household income, the program will offer a 5-75 percent monthly total bill credit for qualifying Ameren and Nicor customers. The rate will offer a 5-83 percent monthly total bill credit for qualifying Peoples Gas customers and a 5-79 percent monthly total bill credit for qualifying North Shore customers.
Customers already enrolled in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will automatically qualify for the newly-established low-income discount rate. Customers not currently eligible for LIHEAP, but whose income falls within 200-300 percent of FPL will still qualify for a discount by self-reporting their income eligibility to their utility. As part of the ICC’s decisions, the utilities will be required to submit annual reports after the launch of the program documenting cost-reduction
Future resources relevant to low-income discount rates, utilities’ annual reporting, and consumer self-reporting will be available on this webpage.
Electric Customers – Expected to begin 2025ComEd has filed its proposed low-income discount program for electric customers with the Commission for consideration. Under ComEd’s proposed plan, discounted rates would be determined using a sliding scale. Household incomes less than or equal to 50 percent of the FPL would be granted the largest discounts, with some form of discount offered to households with incomes up to the 300 percent mark. Additionally, income eligible customers will have the opportunity to join the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program to better manage energy use and reduce electric bills. Customers enrolled in other income qualified programs such as LIHEAP or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan would be automatically enrolled in the programs.
Ameren Illinois has not yet filed a plan with the ICC.
Details of the plans are subject to approval by the ICC.
LIHEAP Application Period runs through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted
Financial assistance is available for families struggling to pay home heating bills. The annual enrollment period for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) runs through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. In addition, eligible water and sewer customers facing disconnection may also apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). New applications are not being accepted for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) due to the limited availability of funds.
For more information about income eligibility and how to apply, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website How To Apply - Utility Bill Assistance (illinois.gov); the DCEO Help Illinois Families webpage Community Action Agencies (illinois.gov) or by calling the Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374.
Starting September 16, 2021, state law prohibits electric utilities from charging late-payment fees or charges to low income customers and prohibits electric and gas utilities from requiring low income customers to pay a deposit to have service connected, reconnected, or to continue receiving services. Gas and electric utilities must also refund deposits to low-income customers who have paid them. Under the new law, a low-income customer is (i) a member of a household at or below 80 percent of the community or county median household income; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for LIHEAP; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in PIPP; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline telephone service (free or discounted telephone service available to low-income people).
Any low-income customer who has been charged a late-payment fee on a recent electric bill should contact their electric utility first to find out whether the fee can be taken off their bill.
Any low-income customer who has been charged a deposit by a utility to have service connected, reconnected, or to continue to receive service should contact the utility first to find out whether the deposit can be refunded.
The ICC’s Consumer Services Division is also ready to help and can be reached between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-524-0795, 1-217-782-2024 outside the State of Illinois, or TTY at 1-800-858-9277.