Utility and energy assistance programs in Illinois.
Find details on assistance programs in Illinois that can help the struggling people pay their utility bills. Below you will find information on various resources that are offered by the government, non-profits as well as the utility companies themselves. It is possible to get help from government grants, payment plans, forgiveness of a past due bills or money from emergency LIHEAP to pay a utility bills. Find more information on various utility assistance programs in IL below with links to phone numbers and details.
Most of the resources are focused on helping the most vulnerable pay their energy costs, such as seniors citizens, people with a disability and households in poverty. Non-profits, charities, and government agencies in Illinois also may be able to provide financial help to pay utility or heating bills or even a deposit to reconnect service. Most of those organizations partner with gas and electric companies in IL on those options. They also offer access to emergency and crisis assistance programs so that low income families can either keep their power on or reconnect their utilities.
Assistance to pay bills is offered directly from utility companies in Illinois
Ameren offers several resources. One is a hardship programs in IL for customers facing a short term financial crisis. Hardship Assistance for Residential Customers is run by community action agencies in Illinois in partnership with Ameren. The non-profits distribute program money that will based on the financial hardship being experienced by customers with household incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal government poverty level. The agencies may award funds of up to $600 per household.
- There is also additional Payment Assistance to help pay energy or heating bills to low-income electric customers. The grants and financial assistance will be provided through the local community action agencies that administer the federal LIHEAP program.
- The Warm Neighbors Cool Friends is an assistance program that provides summer electric and winter heating bill payment assistance. It is combined with free home weatherization and energy conservation measures for qualifying Ameren low to moderate income customers.
- In partnership with community action, internet help is offered too. There are also free Internet services and high-speed Wi-FI connections for the low-income. Or find details here on free high speed WiFi internet.
- Another option is the Ameren Dollar More. Customer donations funds this and the money raised is paid out to low-income customers to help pay a wide variety of home energy and utility bills including gas, oil, propane, and electric. All Dollar More contributions go to those who need help through a network of local charities, human services agencies, and community action groups.
Those are just a few of the programs and resources offered my Ameren. They also offer payment extensions, help customers with balance billing and of course give referrals. Several other financial assistance programs are administered in Illinois as well by the company. Learn more about Ameren Illinois assistance programs.
Atmos Energy runs a program known as Sharing the Warmth. This program is funded by customer donations as well as donations from businesses that help people and pay their gas bills. All funds go to people who need help. Call one of the following agencies based on where you live.
- Shawnee Development Council based in Metropolis provides grant money from Sharing the Warmth. Call 618-524-2941.
- Bond, Clinton, Marion, Washington counties. Contact BCMW, 618-532-7388.
- Wabash Area Development Inc, phone 618-252-2680.
- Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby counties contact: C.E.F.S., dial 217-342-2193.
- Another option is Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation in the Gillespie IL area, call 217-839-4431
City, Light, Power and Water is a smaller energy prover in the state of Illinois focused on Springfield. Qualified low income customers may be entered into payment plans. The company also works with Goodwill to offer a program in which individuals can volunteer in order to have an outstanding balance on their account credited. Project RELIEF is another resource that relies on donations from customers and all money goes to the less fortunate in their service territory. More information about City, Light, Power and Water assistance programs.
ComEd is the largest energy provider in Illinois. A number of programs help income qualified low-income customers as well as seniors. Residential Hardship Fund may be able to offer variable grants to qualified people with finding limited. When it is available the Salvation Army in Illinois participates to offer help. It is for people with a special hardship issue such as medical emergency, senior facing in-home care or some other crisis.
- The ComEd Helps Activated Military Personnel program, also known as C.H.A.M.P, provides customers with special services. It is for customers that have a family member deployed and they can access benefits, including a one-time cash grant, deferred billing, stipend, extended due dates, late charges cancellation, and payment plans.
- ComEd has other so called Rate Relief Programs, which has a few main components. They include the Fresh Start, which is a federal government LIHEAP-approved program that space-heating customers may qualify for. There is Cath Up and Save to help reduce past due utility bills and Your Neighbor Fund, which is a charity / foundation type financial assistance programs to pay gas / light bills.
- Another option is the Summer Assistance Program. This resource will provide qualified customers with a one-time credit, and it is currently for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program participants. It can also help them pay for repairs to an air conditioner or give out a free unit.
ComEd has more options too. The resources listed above are just some of the assistance programs offered to low income, senior and struggling customers. Several other financial assistance and weatherization programs operate across Illinois. Customer service will help people explore their options and will work to help people keep their power on. Learn more about energy assistance from ComEd.
Mid-American Energy Company has a few options for struggling customers. The I CARE program may be able to assist those families and individuals who are unemployed, who may be living on fixed or low incomes or experiencing a family crisis by helping them pay their home utility or heating bills or making their homes more energy efficient. Various conservation measures are allowed as well. To qualify for help, customers must also meet the state of Illinois LIHEAP guidelines.
Nicor Gas offers customers the grant money from programs such as Sharing Program (one‑time fund to pay utility bills and administered by The Salvation Army) as well as the related the Shield of Caring grants To qualify for financial assistance from this particular program, utility customers must meet income criteria as well as agree to take on energy conservation. The program is currently administered by the Salvation Army, the Sharing Program funded by direct contributions from Nicor Gas' customers and employees.
- There are other resources available too, including resources from the Community Connection Center that Nicor has. They also help people find, and apply for LIHEAP grants and other aid. Read more, and get details on other assistance programs and resources from Nicor Gas.
Northshore Gas is another of the Illinois based energy companies that runs a version of Share the Warmth, with applications and grant money disbursed by the Community Action Partnership of Lake County as well as CEDA. The goal is to help with winter heating bills, those some year round emergency help can be paid out too for electric costs.
- Northshore Gas offers additional program that area administered by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). Phone 800-571-2332. Together they may be able to provide heating bill assistance and cash grants to struggling households in the service territory. Low income customers can apply for various payment plans, government aid such as LIHEAP, and more. Continue with details on Northshore Gas financial assistance programs.
Peoples Gas has different ways that households can get gas bill help. The main one that provides money to the less fortunate for many years is Share the Warmth. Funds are raised from the community and all money goes to qualified low income families, including the unemployed. Read Share the Warmth from People Gas. The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) runs the assistance program, phone 800-571-2332.
- Additional crisis programs and hardship plans are offered too. Customer service from Peoples Gas will arrange free energy audits, help extend payment due dates to keep the gas on, and also provide information on reconnecting service. Find more details on Peoples Gas financial assistance programs.
Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative offers WORKS. This provides grants for individuals or families in need and for 501(c)3 organizations. The purpose of the assistance program is to meet a critical need, including utility and heating bills that are not currently not being met by any other means.
- The WORKS grant program is only currently available to eligible member-customers of Wayne-White Electric Cooperative in southern Illinois, therefore applications from outside their immediate customer area will not be accepted as part of the program and these individuals are not eligible for any type of financial assistance or grants through the WORKS program. Call 618-842-2196
Government assistance programs in Illinois for heating, energy, or utility bills
City of Chicago helps people keep their power on as well, with a focus on helping pay winter heating costs. The city also has programs to fix a heating system or repair for emergency repairs. Several government organizations, local churches and charities all partner together to help the less vulnerable (seniors, elderly, etc.) in the city and look here for help with heating costs in Chicago IL.
Federal funded LIHEAP - Low income heating and energy bill assistance is combined with conservation measures. Illinois families, seniors, the disabled, and others may qualify for financial assistance to pay their utility bills year round, with a crisis component too. There are LIHEAP grants. In addition, free energy conservation programs (weatherization) are also available to help people save money on their heating bills. More information about Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance programs.
IL Department of Commerce (DCEO) has information on various other resources available statewide. Whether grants to fix a home, rules and regulations around utility disconnections or grant money to pay past due bills, the website: https://dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices.html has programs listed.
Summer cooling - electric assistance programs are seasonal in nature. Illinois can experience very hot weather during the summer. When this occurs, the state can provide financial assistance for paying cooling bills, buying fans and/or air conditioners, and other support. Most of the help provided is from the federal government and state of Illinois LIHEAP program. Learn more about Illinois cooling bill help.
Get help with water bills in Illinois too. Another service that is in high demand is help for paying water bills. Tens of thousands of families are faced with a shut off of their water and/or sewer service every year. A few different payment plans and resources are administered that can help the low income and qualified individuals get back on track. Find more information on Illinois water assistance programs.
Winter heating bills assistance programs help people stay healthy and safe. Find where to turn to for funds, grants, and advice in paying your heating bills during the cold Illinois winter, spring, and late fall months. Low income residents can turn to non-profits, government programs, and other resources that are made available to them. More Illinois heating bill programs.
If you want to read experiences of people in the state, maybe find other programs to pay utility costs or ask questions, try our forum. We have a dedicated section for Illinois residents that covers everything utility related. Look here for information on the community forum of IL utility bill assistance programs to ask questions and what not.
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