LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides a one time per year payment for heat (primary utility), and electric, (secondary utility), to eligible* applicants. The LIHEAP program is able to provide once a year reconnection assistance payments for applicants whose utility has been disconnected for non payment or applicants who are being denied service because of an old bill. LIHEAP is also able to provide emergency furnace repair or replacement for eligible applicants whose furnace does not work or is red tagged by the utility company.

The program begins on September 1 with a special priority period for applicants with an elderly household member (age 60 or older), or a disabled household member (receiving SS, SSI or VA disability benefits or with verification of a current disability claim pending with Social Security); and households without home energy service (who are disconnected from their primary and/or secondary energy source).

Beginning October 1, LIHEAP Furnace Assistance will also be available to eligible homeowners whose existing heating systems are not operational or have been red tagged by their utility company. and eligible households with a child age 4 or under will also be able to apply for LIHEAP assistance.

Beginning November 1, the program will be available to all eligible households, including households who have an active disconnection notice (that is, households who have not made a payment arrangement with their utility company in order to prevent shut-off.)

Applications will be taken through May 31 or until funding is depleted, whichever comes first.

Please note that program dates are subject to change.

What to bring to your appointment:

• Proof of income for the 30 days prior to appointment for everyone in the household 18 or over
• Verification of Social Security income (bank statemetn, SS letter or copy of a recent check)
• SSI income verification (must be dated within previous 60 days)
• Social Security cards for all household members
• Current heat & light bills
• Disability documentation, if applicable
• Current DHS medical cards, if applicable
• Rent receipt or lease

Email: genag@mccainc.org

Income Guidelines for 2011 LIHEAP Program – 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
(subject to change)

For each additional family member, add $477.50

* “eligible” applicants will be within the income guidelines listed above, and be able to provide all necessary documentation to complete their application.

“I would like to thank you for the assistance I got this past winter. On my fixed income, it really came in handy when my bills went up and I wasn’t able to afford them. Without the program I wouldn’t have been able to pay my bills and I would have been without service. I thank you again for all your help.”

A Central Illinois resident