State announces LIHEAP open enrollment begins
All
eligible households can begin applying for home heating assistance
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[November 01, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Energy
Assistance announced that all eligible individuals can begin
applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program beginning Nov. 1.
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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 whether 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
for low-income families. Heating bill payments are made on behalf of
households.
A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up
to $1,396; a two-person household up to $1,891; a family of three
can earn up to $2,386; and a family of four can earn up to $2,881.
Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible
households. The exception is households whose heating costs are
included in their rent.
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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 beginning
Nov. 1. Customers will be served until funding is exhausted.
Priority enrollment for seniors and people with disabilities who
are eligible for LIHEAP began on Sept. 1. Enrollment for LIHEAP
assistance for households with children under the age of 5 began on
Oct. 1.
For a complete listing of LIHEAP's local administering agencies
and additional information about the program, visit
liheapillinois.com and go to the "How Do I Apply" section at the
bottom of the page, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-411-WARM
(9276).
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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