Call the C.E.F.S. Effingham County Outreach office at 1010 W. Jefferson St. Effingham, phone 217-347-7514, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to make a phone appointment for LIHEAP.
In Illinois, where can I receive help paying my bills?
- Help Illinois Families – Programs to aid qualified Illinoisans with utility bills, rent, temporary lodging, food, and other household requirements.
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity offers utility bill assistance. LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) assists low-income families in paying for home energy services. Call 1-877-411-WARM to reach the LIHEAP Hotline (9276).
- Rental/Mortgage Assistance, Food, Energy Utility Bill Assistance, Water/Sewer Payment, Employment Training/Placement, Financial Management, and Temporary Shelter are just a few of the services provided by Community Action Agencies around the state.
- Help with Bills at USA.gov
- Keep Warm Illinois – This is a one-stop shop for information on how to combat winter in Illinois and how to access services that will help you keep yourself, your homes and businesses warm, while also being efficient and environmentally friendly. You can also dial (800) 252-8643.
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – Home Weatherization
- Utilities – Illinois Legal Aid Online
What is the location where I may apply for LIHEAP?
The National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project can be contacted. NEAR is a free service that provides information on how to apply for LIHEAP and where to apply. You can do the following:
- Call 1-866-674-6327, which is a toll-free number.
- energy@ncat.org is the e-mail address to send an e-mail to.
- Alternatively, you can contact the LIHEAP office in your state.
In Illinois, what months are you not allowed to have your electricity turned off?
Utilities regulated by the state are prohibited from shutting down services until March 31, 2021; financial assistance is available to consumers in financial distress.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today reminded Illinois utility customers that state-regulated electric and natural gas utilities are forbidden by state law from cutting off power and gas to customers throughout the winter. To safeguard the public throughout the cold winter months, all clients, regardless of financial circumstances, cannot be disconnected until March 31, 2021. Even with the embargo in place, Raoul advises residents who are behind on their bills to call their utilities to find out about available assistance.
Utility disconnections have disproportionately impacted minority neighborhoods, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Raoul. My office has campaigned on behalf of consumers to guarantee that residents, regardless of financial circumstances, have access to affordable repayment plans and bill assistance so that they may maintain access to essential energy services. I encourage customers to use the materials provided by my office to learn more about their alternatives.
Even while gas and electric services cannot be turned off over the winter, customers should look into their alternatives for managing their costs during the winter to prevent having a huge balance due all at once in the spring. Customers who need help may qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The application period for LIHEAP is open through June 20, 2021, or until funds are depleted. Utility customers may be eligible for LIHEAP support if their family income was at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in the previous 30 days. Many formerly ineligible households may suddenly be eligible for LIHEAP if they are now unemployed or underemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People should call the Illinois LIHEAP Hotline at 1-877-411-9276 or go to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website to see whether they are eligible or find an agency that can assist with applications.
Furthermore, regulated electric and gas utilities are providing customers enduring financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak with extended bill payment alternatives, including up to 24 months to settle past due amounts as well as bill assistance. Consumers who are having trouble paying their utility bills can inform their utility supplier of their financial difficulties and ask for information on assistance and repayment choices.
Attorney General Raoul encourages Illinois people to visit his website for more information on consumer safeguards, especially if they are about to be disconnected. Residents with inquiries can call 1-800-386-5438 in Chicago, 1-800-243-0618 in Springfield, and 1-800-243-0607 in Carbondale, or file an online complaint.
In Illinois, what types of grants are available?
The number of grants given through ISAC-managed programs, as well as the individual cash amounts awarded, are contingent on the Illinois General Assembly and Governor making sufficient annual funds.
A grant is a form of “gift aid” that does not require repayment. The amount given is usually determined by financial necessity and funded by the government or the college you intend to attend. You are immediately considered for three types of grants after submitting your FAFSA: the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) award (for Illinois residents), the Federal Pell Grant (Pell), and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) (SEOG). Inquire about the grants you’ll be receiving from your college’s financial assistance department.
Note that the programs marked with an asterisk (*) are only offered to undergraduate students. All of the other programs are open to students in both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Is it possible to apply for LIHEAP online?
LIHEAP can be applied for in two ways: Online: Use COMPASS, Pennsylvania’s online tool for applying for health and human service programs and managing benefit information, to apply for benefits.
In Illinois, what is considered low income?
Illinois’ poverty level is based on the federal poverty level. The federal poverty line is used to determine poverty in Illinois, which means that the poverty line for a family of four is $26,200 per year and $2,183 per month. However, instead of using the usual 138 percent above the federal poverty line formula to determine if a family qualifies for assistance such as state healthcare or SNAP, Illinois utilizes a 200 percent above the federal poverty line calculation. Benefits would be available to a family of four earning $4,367 per month or less.
What does it mean to be low-income?
Each of us may have a different definition of what it means to be “low-income.” It’s also important where you reside. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, a person in San Francisco needs to earn $61 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment in 2019. In North Dakota, a family with that kind of income might afford a spacious house with a yard.
The federal government defines “low income” in its own way. The definitions are important because they are used by government organizations to determine which households are eligible for tax rebates and other government benefits.
Men and women whose family income is less than double the Federal Poverty Level are classified as “low-income” by the government (FPL). The 2019 FPL for a single person family was $12,490 per year. As a result, a single person earning less than $25,000 per year is considered low-income. The FPL for a five-person household is $30,170, and the low-income cut-off is $60,340.
Within the low-income population, there are considerable racial differences. According to a 2015 survey, homes headed by racial minorities were roughly twice as likely as non-minority households to be low-income or impoverished. The median income of Hispanic and African-American households is much lower than that of non-Hispanic white and Asian households.
You may be eligible for government aid if your household income is less than four times the poverty line. Knowing where you stand will help you figure out which perks are available to you and which are not. In some areas, a family earning 1.5 times the federal poverty level is eligible for reduced-price school lunches but not SNAP (food stamp) assistance. It’s critical to check your state’s requirements for each program.
How can I check the status of my Illinois Liheap application?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the program. Alternatively, you can call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-877-411-WARM (9276). Check to see whether your LIHEAP application has been approved.