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"By starting enrollment now for our
state's most vulnerable residents, we're trying to make sure our
elderly, disabled and those who had their service disconnected last
year, stay safe and warm this year," said Gov. Blagojevich. "With
energy prices expected to continue to rise, no one who is qualified
should miss out on this opportunity to receive help to keep their
homes warm this winter."
Gov. Blagojevich's budget boosted
LIHEAP funding in fiscal 2005 by $3 million, to a total of $147
million. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant
program is contributing $82 million, and the state's Supplemental
Low Income Energy Assistance fund is contributing $65 million.
Last year, the program gave grants to
293,000 Illinois households, averaging $497 per grant.
The energy assistance program is
designed to assist households with incomes of up to 150 percent of
the federal poverty level. A single-person household can qualify
with a monthly income of up to $1,164, a two-person household up to
$1,561, and a family of four can earn up to $2,355. Benefits are
paid directly to the household's gas or electric utility or to a
delivered fuel dealer if the household heats with fuel oil or
propane.
During an early filing period in
September and October, the program accepts applications from elderly
and disabled people and households that have had their heat source
disconnected. All other households may apply starting Nov. 1.
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In July, administration of the program,
along with that of the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance
Program, was shifted from the Illinois Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity to the Illinois Department of Public Aid.
"I am happy to say that, thanks to a
lot of hard work by a number of staffers at both DCEO and IDPA, the
transition process has been carried out seamlessly," said Director
of Public Aid Barry S. Maram. "The mission of LIHEAP and IHWAP
really fits in well with that of IDPA, which is to empower
low-income Illinoisans to lead healthier, more independent and more
fulfilling lives."
The home weatherization program helps
low-income residents save fuel and money by paying for projects such
as insulating attics and walls, repairing windows and doors, and
weatherstripping and caulking.
Applications for both programs are made
directly through a statewide network of local Community Action
agencies.
For a
complete listing of the local agencies and additional information
about the program, go to
www.liheapillinois.com, or call the toll-free information line
at 1 (800) 252-8643.
[News release from the
governor's office]
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