The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers energy bill assistance to low income residents.

“As temperatures continue to fall and energy bills rise this winter, the increased cost of heating a home represents a financial burden for some residents,” State Rep. Costello II said.  “I want to ensure citizens have easy access to the services available to them through LIHEAP to ease the strain of seasonally high energy costs.”

LIHEAP is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and is designed to help low income households pay for winter energy costs. Eligibility is based upon a percentage of the federal poverty level and qualifying households can choose between two bill reduction formats.

To speed up the process of getting assistance, interested citizens should bring household income verification such as pay stubs for all household members in the last 30 days, a copy of current heat and electric bills from the same period, a copy of a rental agreement (if renting), proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, and documentation for any services received from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

For more information, contact your local Western Egyptian office. Those residing in Monroe County can call 939-8715. Those in Randolph County can call 618-826-3141. Those in St. Clair County can call 618-257-9246.