Families in need are encouraged to apply for the $300 million in available funding for energy bill assistance through the Help Illinois Families program. All families who meet the criteria and provide required documentation will receive bill assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until funding is exhausted. Families who earn less than two-times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP:
Applications are now open and families can apply by visiting helpillinoisfamilies.com or by visiting their local agency. They can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.
LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy providers on behalf of recipients. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year’s LIHEAP recipients received an average of $1,330 per household. Last year’s LIHEAP funding – which was available from September 2021 through May 2022 – provided a record level of assistance to 302,000 households.