Last updated: July 16, 2026
Bottom line
Illinois families struggling with gas, electric, propane, or heating costs should start with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, called LIHEAP. The 2025-2026 season is open through August 15, 2026, or until funding runs out. Apply through your local administering agency and call the utility at the same time if shutoff is near.
LIHEAP can provide a one-time energy payment and, when funding and case rules allow, crisis or reconnection help. Illinois also has monthly low-income discounts through major gas, electric, and private water utilities. These discounts can lower future bills after a one-time benefit is used.
Use the ASMOM LIHEAP and utility guide for national background. The Illinois help hub connects you with other state support.
If shutoff or unsafe heat is close
Call 911 for a gas smell, fire, electrical hazard, carbon monoxide alarm, or medical emergency. Do not use an oven or outdoor heater to warm the home.
- Call the utility: Ask for the exact shutoff date, a deferred payment arrangement, the lowest amount needed to protect service, and every low-income discount or hardship fund.
- Call your LIHEAP agency: Say if service is off, shutoff is within seven days, or a propane tank is at 25% or less. A completed crisis application may receive faster review.
- Call 2-1-1: Use 211 Illinois for local utility funds, cooling centers, township help, food, shelter, and emergency referrals.
- Contact the ICC: If an investor-owned utility will not explain or follow its rules, call the Illinois Commerce Commission Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795.
The ASMOM Illinois emergency guide covers other urgent needs.
Where to start
Start with the problem that has the closest deadline. A shutoff notice needs faster action than a high bill with no disconnect date.
I have a shutoff notice
Call the utility, apply for LIHEAP, and contact the local agency directly. Keep the notice, account number, and application confirmation.
My monthly bill is high
Ask for the low-income discount, budget billing, an energy assessment, and a payment plan. A discount can lower future bills.
My heat is in rent
You may still qualify for LIHEAP. Bring a lease showing that heat is included, the rent amount, and landlord contact details.
I need water help
Call the water provider. Chicago and some private water companies have separate discount programs that LIHEAP does not cover.
The ASMOM Community Action guide explains how local agencies handle energy and household programs.
Quick help table
| Your need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| One-time gas or electric help | Apply for LIHEAP | Funding can end before August 15. |
| Service off or shutoff soon | Utility plus local LIHEAP agency | Crisis review starts after the application is complete. |
| Lower future utility bills | Utility low-income discount | Discounts differ by company and income tier. |
| Chicago water bill | Utility Billing Relief | The applicant must meet property and income rules. |
| Private water bill | Water company assistance program | Only customers of that company can apply. |
| Drafty home or old furnace | Illinois weatherization | Waitlists, inspections, and landlord approval may apply. |
Illinois LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps eligible Illinois households with home energy costs, mainly heating and heat-related electric service. The official LIHEAP application page says the current season runs from October 1, 2025 through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
Priority applications began October 1 for households with a person age 60 or older, a person with a disability, a child age 5 or younger, disconnected service, a disconnect date within seven days, or propane at 25% or less. All other income-eligible households could apply beginning November 1.
Illinois uses gross household income from the 30 days before the application. The current limits are shown below.
| Household size | 30-day gross limit | Annual example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,332 | $39,979 |
| 2 | $4,357 | $52,281 |
| 3 | $5,382 | $64,582 |
| 4 | $6,407 | $76,884 |
| 5 | $7,432 | $89,185 |
| 6 | $8,457 | $101,486 |
| 7 | $8,649 | $103,793 |
| 8 | $8,842 | $106,099 |
These figures apply to the 2026 program year and can change for a later season. Income is not the only rule. The applicant must show responsibility for home energy costs. Renters whose heat is included in rent may qualify with the right lease information.
How to apply
Start a free Request for Services through the state process, then work with the agency serving your county. The state local agency finder identifies the correct office. Cook County residents can use CEDA utility assistance or call 800-571-2332.
The Help Illinois Families Call Center is 1-833-711-0374. If you submit an online request and do not hear from the county agency within three weeks, contact that agency directly. If service is already off or shutoff is close, do not wait three weeks.
After receiving a seven-digit application ID that begins with 7, use the state’s status tool or call the Help Illinois Families number. Keep the ID, date, worker name, and every document receipt.
LIHEAP benefits and timing
The state LIHEAP questions page describes these main forms of help:
- Direct Vendor Payment: A one-time payment usually sent to the utility or energy vendor. A qualifying renter with heat included in rent may receive a cash benefit.
- Reconnection Assistance: Crisis help that may be available when heating service is off, shutoff is within seven days, or a fuel supplier will not deliver and the tank is at 25% or less.
- PIPP: The Percentage of Income Payment Plan combines monthly payments and past-due balance reduction. It is not accepting new applicants during the 2025-2026 season. Current members may recertify.
A complete regular application should receive an approval or denial within 30 days. Payment is generally made within 45 days after approval. A completed crisis case should be handled within 48 hours. When the temperature is below 32 degrees and the situation is life-threatening, the state lists an 18-hour standard.
Furnace assistance status
The separate 2025-2026 LIHEAP Furnace Assistance period ended May 29, 2026. Do not assume that program is open now. Ask about weatherization, local repair funds, or the next LIHEAP season.
Shutoff protections in Illinois
Utility rules can delay a shutoff, but they do not erase the balance. Protections also differ for investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities.
| Protection | What it may do | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme heat rule | Stops certain gas or electric shutoffs when a forecast reaches 90 degrees or an excessive heat alert is active | Applies to covered utilities and service used as the sole cooling source. |
| Winter rules | Protects certain heating customers from December 1 through March 31 | Eligibility and account facts matter. |
| Deferred payment plan | Spreads a past-due balance over time | A down payment and regular payments may be required. |
| Medical certificate | Can protect service for up to 60 days | A qualifying medical professional must certify the need. |
The ICC assistance page explains heat, winter, and deferred-payment rules. Its medical certificate guidance describes temporary protection when shutoff would worsen a serious illness.
During July, the extreme heat rule may be especially important. Use Keep Cool Illinois for cooling and heat-safety resources. A medical certificate or weather rule is not a long-term payment solution, so apply for aid and arrange the remaining balance.
Monthly gas and electric discounts
Illinois now requires low-income discounts through several large utilities. LIHEAP-approved households are generally enrolled based on income and household data sent through the assistance system. Households above LIHEAP limits but at or below 300% of the federal poverty level may still qualify through the utility.
- ComEd: The ComEd discount program offers income-based electric discounts to qualifying households up to 300% of the federal poverty level.
- Ameren Illinois: The Ameren assistance page includes current gas and electric affordability programs. The electric discount began in June 2026 and places enrolled customers on rollover budget billing.
- Nicor Gas: The Nicor Sharing Program provides one grant per qualifying family per program year. Nicor also has monthly low-income discounts.
- Peoples Gas: Share the Warmth offers grants of up to $200 to qualifying heating customers through CEDA, while the utility also has monthly discounts.
Ask whether the discount is already on your account, which income tier was used, how often eligibility must be renewed, and whether deposits or late fees are waived. A discount affects new bills, not every old balance.
Water and sewer bill help
LIHEAP does not pay water, sewer, or phone bills. Water help depends on the city or company serving the home.
Chicago Utility Billing Relief
The Chicago relief program gives qualifying owner-occupants of one-, two-, or three-unit properties a 50% reduction on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges. It pauses penalties and debt collection, and old debt may be forgiven after one successful year in the program.
Private water companies
The Illinois American Water program offers qualifying residential customers monthly discounts of up to 80% when household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. The Aqua Illinois program offers a large usage discount to qualifying customers and requires household, income, and account information.
For a municipal water bill outside Chicago, call the city or village billing office. Ask for a payment plan, leak adjustment, income discount, hardship fund, and shutoff rules. The Illinois Commerce Commission does not regulate every municipal or cooperative utility.
Weatherization and long-term savings
The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program can make eligible homes and apartments safer and more energy efficient. Work may include air sealing, insulation, heating-system improvements, and health or safety measures.
Start with the Illinois weatherization page or the online pre-application. Renters can apply, but landlord approval and building rules may be required.
Weatherization is not a general home-repair grant. It normally does not replace a full roof, siding, or major plumbing. Inspections, contractor schedules, and waitlists may delay work.
Documents to gather
Apply even if one paper is missing, then ask what alternate proof the agency accepts. Clear copies can prevent delays.
| Document | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Recent income | Pay stubs, Social Security, unemployment, child support, benefits | LIHEAP uses gross income from the prior 30 days. |
| Energy bill | Current gas, electric, propane, or fuel statement | Shows the account, vendor, balance, and service address. |
| Lease | Rent amount, heat-included terms, landlord contact | Needed when energy is included in rent. |
| Household identity | SSN, ITIN, or other documents requested by the agency | Helps verify household members. People without an SSN or ITIN can still ask to apply. |
| Crisis proof | Disconnect notice, shutoff date, empty fuel notice | May support crisis or reconnection review. |
| Benefit records | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or housing notice | May help confirm household information. |
The ASMOM documents checklist can help you organize applications and receipts.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until service is already off before calling the utility.
- Submitting the online request but never completing the agency interview or document review.
- Assuming PIPP is open to new applicants during this season.
- Using an old income chart or old furnace-assistance date.
- Failing to ask for the new monthly utility discount after receiving LIHEAP.
- Paying a fee to apply for LIHEAP. The application is free.
- Switching energy suppliers without comparing the full price and contract terms.
If help is denied, delayed, or not enough
If you have not heard from the local agency within three weeks of the request, contact it directly. Ask whether the application is complete, which document is missing, and when a written decision will be issued.
LIHEAP and weatherization applicants have appeal rights. The state process begins with an informal conference at the local agency. A state review and formal hearing may follow. Use the program rights page and protect every deadline in the notice.
For a utility dispute, first call the company. If it is not resolved, use the ICC complaint process or call 1-800-524-0795. ICC counselors handle complaints involving billing, payment arrangements, disconnection, and reconnection for regulated utilities.
The ASMOM benefits problem guide helps organize notices and calls. Use the Illinois legal guide when shutoff, landlord conduct, or an appeal may need legal help.
Phone scripts
Calling the utility
“I have a past-due residential account and need to prevent shutoff. What is the exact shutoff date, the lowest payment needed, and every deferred-payment, discount, budget-billing, or hardship option on my account?”
Calling the LIHEAP agency
“I submitted a LIHEAP request on [date]. My application ID is [number]. I have [a shutoff date, disconnected service, or low propane]. What documents are missing, and is my case eligible for crisis review?”
Calling about a discount
“My household income may qualify for the low-income discount. Am I already enrolled through LIHEAP? Which tier applies, when will the credit begin, and what proof is needed to renew it?”
Calling the ICC
“I contacted my utility on [date] but could not resolve the issue. I need help with [billing, payment plan, shutoff, or reconnection]. Can a consumer counselor review the utility’s response and explain the complaint process?”
Resumen en espanol
LIHEAP en Illinois ayuda a algunos hogares con gas, electricidad, propano y calefaccion. La temporada actual termina el 15 de agosto de 2026 o cuando se acaben los fondos. Llame a la compania de servicios y solicite LIHEAP al mismo tiempo si tiene aviso de corte.
El limite de ingreso usa el ingreso bruto de los 30 dias antes de solicitar. Tenga facturas, comprobantes de ingreso, contrato de renta y aviso de desconexion. Si no recibe respuesta despues de tres semanas, llame a la agencia local.
Illinois tambien tiene descuentos mensuales para clientes elegibles de varias companias de gas, electricidad y agua. Pregunte si ya esta inscrito y que nivel de descuento tiene.
FAQ
Is Illinois LIHEAP still open in July 2026?
Yes. The current season is scheduled through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Apply as soon as possible because money can run out before the end date.
What are the Illinois LIHEAP income limits?
For the 2026 program year, the 30-day gross limit is $5,382 for three people and $6,407 for four people. Limits change by household size.
Can LIHEAP help when heat is included in rent?
Yes, some renters may qualify. Bring a lease showing that heat is included, the monthly rent amount, and landlord contact information.
Is Illinois PIPP accepting new applications?
No. PIPP is not accepting new applicants during the 2025-2026 season. Current participants may continue the recertification process.
Can a medical condition stop utility shutoff?
A valid medical certificate may protect regulated utility service for up to 60 days when shutoff would worsen a serious illness. Payment arrangements still apply.
Does LIHEAP pay water bills?
No. LIHEAP does not cover water or sewer bills. Chicago and some private water companies have separate discounts, payment plans, or debt-relief programs.
What can I do if LIHEAP is denied?
Request the reason in writing and protect the appeal deadline. The process begins with an informal conference at the local agency and may continue to state review.
Last updated: July 16, 2026 | Next review: October 16, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 16, 2026, next review October 16, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.