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Energy assistance available Income-eligible residents who
need help with winter utility bills can apply for grants through the
Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program.
Program recipients receive a one-time benefit, determined by
household income, size, fuel type and geographic location. The
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services considers
applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will be
notified of eligibility status within 30 days.
A single-person household with a monthly income of up to $1,225
can qualify for the program, and a two-person household of up to
$1,650 is eligible, while a family of four can earn up to $2,500 and
still qualify for LIHEAP assistance.
Interested residents are encouraged to contact the representative
in their county for additional details. Locations are available at
www.liheapillinois.com/community.html.
[to top of second column]
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 Old cell phones help domestic violence victims
If the holiday season brings a new cell phone, 44th District
residents can donate their old phones to one of two national
programs that help protect victims of domestic violence.
The Call to Protect program provides phones, with matching air
time, to domestic violence agencies. In addition, the funds
generated through Call to Protect collections and other wireless
industry programs have provided grants totaling more than $10
million to national organizations leading the campaign to end
domestic violence.
The HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and
equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used
phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised
from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates
wireless phones and air time to victims and provides funding and
other contributions to nonprofit domestic violence shelters and
prevention programs across the country. Used phones can be returned
to any Verizon Wireless retail store nationwide.
Residents can mail wireless phones and equipment to ReCellular
Inc., 2555 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 48130. Donors can
designate which program -- Call to Protect or HopeLine -- is to
receive the phone.
It is important that consumers deactivate their wireless service
before they donate their phones.
[Column from
Sen. Bill Brady]
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