Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois announces October 1st start of LIHEAP Winter Energy Assistance Program

[September 26, 2019]  CAPCIL has announced that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has begun scheduling appointments for seniors and people with disabilities and will be accepting applications starting October 1, 2019.

CAPCIL is one of several agencies in the State of Illinois that offers energy assistance through the LIHEAP program. LIHEAP is a federally and state funded program that assists customers with energy payments made directly to the vendor. CAPCIL will be offering the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) program, Furnace Assistance (to restore heat), and Weatherization services as well. The service area for LIHEAP/Weatherization assistance includes DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard, and Piatt counties.

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 person(s) with disabilities and is currently receiving a disability benefits (beginning October 1st).

• Priority Group 2 – Includes families with children under the age of 6 years and/or households who are completely disconnected from energy service or have a disconnect notice within 7 days of application date (beginning November 1st).

• Priority Group 3 – Includes all other households that meet income guidelines (beginning December 2nd).

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

The 30-day income guidelines are based on the number in the household as follows: 1- $1,561, 2-$2,114, 3-$2,666, 4-$3,219 (add $553 for each additional household member). Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is available through May 31st, 2020 or until funding is exhausted.

Reconnection Assistance benefit is also being offered but can only be used if it results in a reconnection of the household’s energy service. In the event Reconnection Assistance is not enough 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.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) program is a bill payment program that assists eligible customers by paying a monthly state benefit while the customer pays a percentage of their household income. Eligible households must be a customer of Ameren Illinois or Nicor Gas utilities. PIPP applicants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis and will be open to all priority periods until December 31, 2019 or until the funding is exhausted.

Individuals who meet the qualifications can contact Community Action by calling 217-732-2159 for an appointment or go to our website at www.capcil.info/book-online to schedule your own appointment.

[Breann Titus
Director of Agency Development
Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]