Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance  Program (LIHEAP) provides utility assistance to eligible households.

There are four components to the LIHEAP program.

LIHEAP Program 2024 Priority Periods

This program year, the state has re-implemented priority periods for increased risk families. The priority periods are as follows:
  • October 1st
    • Households that have:
      • Older adult(s) (60 and over)
      • A household member receiving federally issued disability income (SSA Disability/SSI/SSDI)
      • Children 5 and under
      • A disconnection notice for shutoff within 7 days (for propane users, 25% of the tank left or less)
      • Been disconnection from one or both energy related utilities
  • November 1st to end of the program

      • Open Enrollment

 

If you qualify to apply in one of the designated priority periods, please call (847) 697-4400 when your priority period begins to schedule an appointment in one of our offices.

Eligibility

Eligible households must have a total income at or below the following 30 day gross income or annual income dependent on size of the household.

Assistance is available for natural gas, propane, heating oil, and electricity. A past due bill or disconnection notice is not required to be eligible. If heat and electricity are included in the rent, the household may still be eligible for some assistance. We encourage clients to make energy-saving improvements to their home to help make utility payments even lower.

Community Contacts, Inc operates the LIHEAP program (Español) throughout Kane and Dekalb counties. Funding is provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services and by the State of Illinois Supplemental Low Income Energy Assistance Fund. The program is administered throughout the state by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

 

People in Household 30 Day Gross Income
1 $2,510
2 $3,407
3 $4,303
4 $5,200
5 $6,097
6 $6,993
CCI_LOGO_PLAIN_WHITE

How to apply

When the program begins, please complete the LIHEAP Interest Form (link). Then when your designated priority period begins, schedule an in-person interview to complete the final application. There are outreach sites in Aurora, Elgin, and Dekalb.

Step 1: Submit Interest Form

When it is your designated priority period, call Community Contacts at 847-697-4400 between 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment. When you call, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Social Security cards, ITINs, or other immigration documents for everyone in the house.
  • A current heating and electric bill.
  • Proof of all income received in the household, 30 days before your appointment.