 For many years, working families and individuals and retirees with
just too much income to qualify for any government assistance
programs or public housing have struggled with rising energy costs.
Many are homeowners struggling to keep their homes on fixed or
reduced incomes; others are working hard but finding it difficult to
cope with rate increases. In the last few years, many more
householders have faced job losses, reduced hours or work income,
and yet do not qualify for LIHEAP assistance with heating or cooling
bills.
The Warm
Neighbors Cool Friends program is designed to provide matching
grants for customers who are regular bill-payers but need help
during financial hardship.
Applicants must be current Ameren
Illinois customers to qualify for assistance. The Salvation Army Keest Center serves as the agent for Ameren Illinois customers who
live in Logan or Mason counties and is making appointments for
assistance requests for cooling bills for June, July and August.
Program eligibility requirements:
-
Applicant must
currently reside at address on Ameren bill and have active
service in his or her name (no third parties).
-
Applicant can
receive assistance only once per heating and cooling season (two
times per calendar year).
-
Must have written
documentation of personal or family crisis (done through the
case intake application process at The Salvation Army office).
-
The program
targets customers with household income of 150-200 percent of
the federal poverty level who are not eligible for any other
assistance programs.
-
No bills over
$750.
-
Matching grants up to $350.
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The purpose of the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program is to
provide bill payment assistance for people with moderate income
facing the loss of their heating or cooling supply. The program runs
from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to apply for
assistance, call The Salvation Army, 307 N. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln,
at 217-732-7890.
[Text from file received from The Salvation Army]
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