Enrollment for Home Heating Assistance Begins Today

DuPage County is currently signing up residents for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that offers energy assistance to qualified families.
 
By appointment only, the county will assist those who meet the income qualifications in addition to the elderly, people with disabilities and households whose utilities (Nicor/ComEd) have been disconnected.
 
Residents who meet the income qualifications may sign up beginning Oct. 1, for the federally-funded energy assistance program. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households.
 
Those who do not meet the criteria can apply beginning Nov. 1.
 
The qualifications include:

• A single-person household with a monthly gross income of up to $1,396;
• A two-person household up to $1,891; and
• A family of four can earn up to $2,881.

Clients must provide the following required documentation when applying for assistance:

• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date;
• A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for their energy directly);
• A copy of rental agreement (if they are renting) showing the monthly rental amount and landlord contact information;
• Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members; and
• Proof that their household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for income qualified families, where heating bill payments are made on behalf of those households.

DuPage County residents may call 630-407-6500 or 1-800-942-9412 (toll-free) or go to www.dupageco.org to seek additional information.

For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to LiheapIllinois.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-411-WARM.