State announces LIHEAP priority enrollment begins today

Seniors, people with disabilities can begin applying for home heating assistance

[September 04, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Energy Assistance announced Friday that seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, beginning today (Sept. 4).

Clients must bring all required documentation when applying for assistance, including:

• 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 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 $1,396; 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.

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. 4. Customers will be served until funding is exhausted.

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.

For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to LiheapIllinois.com, 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]