Energy Assistance now available at Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois

[October 22, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL) will begin scheduling appointments for our Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting October 1, 2015.

CAPCIL is one of several agencies in the State of Illinois that offers energy assistance through the LIHEAP. The CAPCIL service area for this assistance spreads across DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard, and Piatt counties.

Reconnection Assistance benefit can only be used if it results in a reconnection of the household’s energy service. In the event Reconnection Assistance is not sufficient to reconnect the energy service, a Direct Vendor Payment will not be made to reduce the total amount owed by the household until the remaining client portion is paid in full.

Three priority groups will be served during the next several months:

• Priority Group 1 – Includes households with a person who is elderly (60+) and/or has a disability (beginning October 1st).
   
• Priority Group 2 – Includes families with children under the age of 6 years and households whose existing heating systems are not operational or have been red-tagged by their utility company (beginning November 1st).
   
• Priority Group 3 – Includes households that meet income guidelines and households that are under imminent threat of disconnection (beginning December 1st).

CAPCIL requires all applicants to bring in the proper documentation when applying for assistance. Applicants must bring in proof of income for the 30 days prior to the date of application for all household members, social security cards for all household members, and their most recent gas and electric bill.

Funding is available through May 31st, 2016 or until funding is exhausted.

Individuals who meet the qualifications can contact Community Action by calling 217-732-2159 for an appointment.

The promise of CAPCIL is to change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities, and make America a better place to live. It is the mission of Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois to work toward the reduction and eventual elimination of the causes and effects of poverty.

[Mark Graue, CAPCIL]