Illinois Energy Assistance
In the 2009 through 2010 winter season in Illinois, approximately 2 million households were eligible for home-heating energy assistance, but only 415,669 households, or one-fourth of applicants, received aid through the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Federally funded but administered through Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP is a first-come, first-serve block grant program that helps low-income families pay costly heating bills throughout the winter.
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Funding
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Illinois' LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provided $5.1 billion in nationwide home energy assistance aid for the 2010 through 2011 winter season. For the same time period, Illinois will receive $266 million, approximately the same as 2009, but up significantly from $149.2 million in 2008.
Distribution
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If a household is eligible for Illinois LIHEAP, the New Jersey Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will award a financial grant to the applicant's home heating provider. While the grant will not cover the entire winter season's energy costs, the burden will be lessened. Applicants with the greatest need and the highest energy costs will receive the largest grants.
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Eligibility
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To qualify for Illinois' LIHEAP, applicants must have earned less than 150 percent of the federal poverty income for the 30 days prior to application. If an applicant's heat is included in their rent, their rent must equal 30 percent or more of their income. For a chart of the federal poverty income level by family size, see Resources.
Application
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Applications for home heating assistance through Illinois' LIHEAP must be submitted by mail or in person to your local Community Action Agency, or CAA. For a list of all CAA offices by county, including website, mailing address and telephone contact information, see Resources.
Weatherization Assistance
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Similar to Illinois' LIHEAP, the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, or IHWAP, provides federal funding for low-income families in need of home insulation, entrance and window sealing or furnace repair. Applicants for IHWAP must earn less than 200 percent of the federal income poverty level, and may apply through their local Community Action Agency. For a list of the maximum income levels by family size, see Resources.
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References
Resources
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: LIHEAP Maximum Income Levels
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: Community Action Agencies Listing
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: IHWAP Maximum Income Levels
- Energy Builder: Weatherization Tips for Your Home
- Photo Credit Allan Baxter/Photodisc/Getty Images
