Get Utility Bill Assistance

Find assistance in covering the cost of home energy services!

The Low Income House Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, helps qualifying Illinois residents cover their utility bills, primarily heating bills during winter months, with one-time monetary assistance.

Applications Open
Applications are now open for all eligible households! Apply today by visiting helpillinoisfamilies.com and clicking the “Request Services” button that corresponds to your county of residence.

You can also apply through your local agency directly. Please visit the Where to Apply webpage to locate the appropriate local agency for your county.

LIHEAP is available to all eligible residents, regardless of immigration status. Residents whose heat and electric services are included in their rent may still qualify for LIHEAP assistance. For more information about the application process and eligibility, please visit the How To Apply webpage.

Applications are accepted through Friday, August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.

Types of LIHEAP Assistance
LIHEAP works with local agencies to provide assistance based on your needs and utility area, as well as the available funding.

Direct Vendor Payment (DVP): These one-time payments will apply to all income eligible households. Applicants must prove they are low income and responsible for their home heating costs, or if the applicant is a renter and has no utility bills, then the amount of the applicant’s rent must exceed 30% of the household’s income.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP): Customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas may choose the new Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Under PIPP, clients pay a percentage of their income, receive a monthly benefit toward their utility bill, and receive a reduction in overdue payments for every on-time payment they make by the bill due date.
Crisis Assistance: Crisis assistance will be provided within 48 hours from the date the customer application is complete and all customer documentation has been submitted. If the temperature at the time the application is complete is below 32°F, assistance will be provided within 18 hours.

Assistance Payment Method
Once an application is complete and the applicant is connected, the local agency will notify the client of approval or denial within 30 days. All customer and vendor payments are made by the local agency within 45 days after approval of the customer's application.

DVP-eligible households that purchase energy directly from vendors are eligible to receive Energy Assistance benefits in the form of a one-time payment representing a percentage of the average primary and secondary vendors in accordance with a payment schedule. Secondary electric service must be an integral part of the heating system or heat-related in order to qualify for a benefit.

LIHEAP-eligible renters will receive a one-time cash payment made directly to the household.

PIPP-eligible households who are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas can directly receive a monthly State benefit to apply towards their utility bill.

LIHEAP Eligibility
You and your household may be eligible for LIHEAP if your combined income for the 30 days prior to application is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Please view the income guidelines chart on the How To Apply webpage.

Additionally, the applicant must be responsible for their home energy costs, or if the applicant’s heat and electric services are included in their rent, their monthly rent costs must be greater than 30% of the household’s income for the 30 days prior to application.

For more details on LIHEAP eligibility, please refer to the LIHEAP Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

For further assistance, please visit the LIHEAP website or call the Help Illinois Families call center at 833-711-0374.