Illinois LIHEAP

Illinois’ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible households pay for their energy bills.

Depending upon funding availability, Illinois LIHEAP may offer up to three types of assistance:

Direct Vendor Payment (DVP)

Assistance is a one-time payment to the utility company on behalf of the applicant. This includes gas, electricity, liquid propane, and oil.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

Under PIPP, households have the option to pay a portion of their income and receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill in place of the traditional plan of one-time benefit.

Crisis Assistance

Crisis Assistance offers Reconnection Assistance within 48 hours, or 18 hours in the event of a life-threatening situation.

FAQ

Who is eligible for LIHEAP Illinois?

To eligible for LIHEAP, you must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of Illinois
Be a U.S. Citizen, qualified alien or permanent resident of the U.S
Be responsible for paying your home heating bills
Have a total income no more than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI)

What is the income limit for LIHEAP in Illinois?

Households with incomes lower than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) are eligible for LIHEAP. For a family of three, the current income limit in a 30-day period is $5,382.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$3,332
2	$4,357
3	$5,382
4	$6,407
5	$7,432
6	$8,457
7	$8,649
8	$8,842

LIHEAP income guidelines for the current federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30.

What is the low income discount adjustment in Illinois?

Beginning in October 2024, natural gas utilities implemented a new set of tiered bill discounts for low-income households whose incomes are up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$3,990
2	$5,410
3	$6,830
4	$8,250
5	$9,670
6	$11,090
7	$12,510
8	$13,930

The income limits are presented as dollar amounts derived from a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for each household size in 2026.

The discounts are offered on a sliding scale, with customers in the lowest income tiers receiving the highest percentage off their bills.

How much does LIHEAP pay in Illinois?

In Illinois, eligible households may receive up to $2,564 once per program year. Payments are made directly to the utility provider on behalf of the applicant. If the bill is included in the recipient’s rent, the payment will be made directly to the recipient instead.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Illinois?

You can apply for LIHEAP through your local Community Action Agency. Applications will be accepted through August 13, 2027, or until available funds are depleted.

Use the map provided to find the agency that serves your county. If you prefer to apply by phone, you may also contact

Help Illinois Families
(833) 711-0374

Illinois residents in Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties should contact

Project NOW, Inc.
(309) 793-6391

Does LIHEAP pay for water, sewer or phone utility service?

No. LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and does not pay for water, sewer or phone service. Illinois also had a temporary water assistance program, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which could be applied for on the same application as LIHEAP, but its federal funding has ended and households can no longer receive benefits from it.