WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIHEAP?

For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on the family's budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to do without.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide a one-time winter benefit for their energy bills. The benefit amount is determined by the household size, income, heating fuel type and geographic location.

A past due bill or disconnection notice is not required. Both homeowners and renters may apply. Assistance is available for natural gas, propane, heating oil and electricity. In some instances, even though heat and electricity are included in the rent, the household may be eligible for assistance.

Emergency assistance may be available for households whose heating and or electric service is disconnected due to the inability to pay for the service. If a household has delivered fuel, such as oil or propane, and the tank contains 25% or less, and the supplier refuses to deliver, the household may be eligible for help.

Emergency furnace repair or replacement is also available through LIHEAP for eligible homeowners.

Community Contacts, Inc. operates the LIHEAP program 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 Healthcare and Family Services.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on the number of persons living in the household and the combined gross income for the past 30 days.

HOW DOES A HOUSEHOLD APPLY FOR LIHEAP?

Step one - schedule an appointment:

Call Community Contacts to schedule an appointment. Kane County residents should call 847/697-4400 while DeKalb County residents should call 815/758-3835. Outreach sites are located throughout our two-county service area.

When a person applies, they must bring with them: proof of the gross income from all sources for the prior 30 days for everyone living in the household, proof of everyone's Social Security number, and a recent heating and electric bill.

Applications are accepted beginning in September and run until May 31 or funding is depleted, whichever comes first.

Step two - be on time for the appointment:

Being on time for the appointment and bringing all of the required documentation is necessary. Documentation may be forwarded later, but it may slow down the application processing.

Step three - reviewing and processing the application:

The application and the accompanying documentation will be reviewed. If all of the required documentation has been provided and is correct, and if the income guidelines are met, the application may be approved.

Step four - notification:

The applicant will receive written notification of approval or denial from the State of Illinois. If approved, the notification will state the amount of assistance. If the application is denied, the reason will be given.

Step five - payment:

If the application is approved, normally the payment is made directly to the energy provider(s) and is credited to the applicant's account.