A local nonprofit organization will soon be assisting area residents with applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency will help applicants pay their winter home energy bills, reconnect their electrical and heating utilities, or even repair or replace their home furnace, with awards paid directly to the household’s utility company.
WIRC team members will be able to meet applicants at several pre-designated locations throughout their five-county service area, or process an application by phone if transportation is not possible.
Households interested in applying should contact WIRC to check their eligibility and schedule an appointment with a case worker.
WIRC will begin scheduling appointments to first help the most vulnerable, starting with seniors ages 60 and older, families with children under the age of six, and disabled individuals starting October 2. On November 1, households that are disconnected, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25 percent fuel in their propane tank can apply. And beginning on December 1, all other income-eligible households can apply for energy assistance.
An income-eligible household is a household whose total gross income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are as follows: One-person household: $2,430 per month; Two-person household: $3,287 per month; Three-person household: $4,143 per month; Four-person household: $5,000 per month; Five-person household: $5,857 per month. Households with six people or more should contact WIRC to ask if their home is within the income guidelines.
The price of propane tends to go up during the winter months. Propane customers who belong to any of the priority groups are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able, so that their benefit award will go further.
Knox County residents can call WIRC’s Galesburg office at 309-837-5115 to schedule an appointment. Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren County residents by make appointments by calling WIRC’s Macomb office.
Funding for LIHEAP is provided by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
