State announces start of home heating assistance enrollment

Seniors, people with disabilities can apply for LIHEAP beginning Sept. 1

[August 26, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Energy Assistance announced Thursday that seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program beginning Sept. 1.

For the first time, some LIHEAP clients will have the option of choosing between the traditional direct vendor payment, known as DVP, or a new plan known as PIPP, an acronym for percentage of income payment plan. The new plan is available to eligible LIHEAP clients who are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas. Under the new plan, eligible clients will pay a percentage of their income, receive a monthly benefit toward their utility bill and receive a reduction in overdue payments for every on-time payment they make by the bill due date. The traditional plan is a one-time payment.

Due to the startup of the new plan, LIHEAP clients may experience longer wait times when applying for assistance but should ultimately receive better service delivery. Clients must bring all required documentation when applying for assistance:

• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date.

• A copy of their current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for their energy directly).

• A copy of their rental agreement (if they are renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information.

• Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members.

• Proof that their household received TANF or other benefits, such as medical eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

LIHEAP is a state- and federally funded energy assistance program in which heating bill payments are made on behalf of low-income households.

A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,361; a two-person household up to $1,839; a family of three can earn up to $2,316; and a family of four can earn up to $2,794. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.

LIHEAP applications are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies around the state. These agencies will begin accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis from the elderly and people with disabilities on Sept. 1.

Households with children under the age of 5 can begin applying for LIHEAP assistance beginning Oct. 1. Individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can apply beginning Nov. 1.

Customers will be served on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.

For a complete listing of LIHEAP's local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to www.liheapillinois.com or call toll-free, 1-877-411-WARM (1-877-411-9276).

[Text from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]