Older adults, people with disabilities, households with young children and families facing a utility shutoff can apply first. Other income-eligible households can apply Nov. 1.
Illinois will open its 2026–27 LIHEAP application period Oct. 1 for several priority groups seeking help with natural gas, propane or electricity costs.
Older adults age 60 and older, people with a disability, households with at least one child age 5 or younger and households facing an energy crisis can begin applying Oct. 1. That crisis group includes households already disconnected, those with a utility shutoff scheduled within seven days and propane customers with less than 25% remaining in their tank.
All other income-eligible Illinois households can begin applying Nov. 1, 2026. The application period runs through Aug. 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted.
LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps qualifying households with home energy costs. Eligibility depends on income and other program requirements, and submitting an online request does not guarantee assistance.
Four priority groups can apply beginning Oct. 1
The first application date applies to income-eligible households that meet at least one of the following conditions:
- An adult in the household is age 60 or older.
- A household member has a disability.
- The household includes at least one child age 5 or younger.
- The household is disconnected, has a disconnection date within seven days or has less than 25% remaining in a propane tank.
Other income-eligible households become eligible to apply Nov. 1.
Households already disconnected from heat-related gas or electricity, or those with an active disconnection date, can contact their local administering agency directly rather than waiting for an online request to be processed.
Illinois lists 30-day income limits for LIHEAP eligibility
Illinois uses gross household income from the 30 days before an application to determine income eligibility.
For Program Year 2027, the state currently lists the following 30-day LIHEAP income limits:
| Household size | Maximum gross income for 30 days | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,990 | $47,880 |
| 2 people | $5,410 | $64,920 |
| 3 people | $6,830 | $81,960 |
| 4 people | $8,250 | $99,000 |
| 5 people | $9,670 | $116,040 |
| 6 people | $11,090 | $133,080 |
| 7 people | $12,510 | $150,120 |
| 8 people | $13,930 | $167,160 |
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity notes that different funding rules can apply to households served by federally funded utilities or energy vendors, which may use a limit of 60% of the State Median Income. A local administering agency can confirm which income standard applies to a specific household.
The online form starts the process but is not the LIHEAP application
Illinois residents can visit Help Illinois Families during their eligible application month and submit an online Request for Services.
The Request for Services is not the LIHEAP application itself. It sends the household’s contact information to the appropriate local agency, which then contacts the household to review eligibility and complete the application process.
Applicants can also bypass the online request and contact their local administering agency directly.
Help with the Request for Services form is available through the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374. Translation assistance is available in Spanish and other languages.
Applicants should have income and utility documents ready
The local agency may request documents for each household member and information showing responsibility for home energy costs.
- Proof of gross income received during the previous 30 days, such as pay stubs, checks or documentation of fixed income.
- A recent heating and/or electric bill issued within the previous 30 days when the household pays the utility directly.
- Social Security card or ITIN for residents who have one. Illinois says residents without an SSN or ITIN can still apply and should work with their local agency.
- A rental agreement showing that heating is included in rent, the monthly rent and landlord contact information when the household does not receive a separate heating bill.
- Proof of benefits such as TANF, Medical Eligibility or SNAP when applicable.
Renters whose heat is included in their rent may still qualify for LIHEAP if they can document that arrangement in their lease.
Project NOW handles LIHEAP on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities
For residents of Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties, the local administering agency is Project NOW.
Project NOW, Inc.
1830 Second Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: 309-793-6391
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents elsewhere in Illinois can use the state directory of local administering agencies to find the office serving their county.
LIHEAP applications remain open through Aug. 13 if funding lasts
The 2026–27 application period runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Aug. 13, 2027, or until available funds are exhausted.
After an application is submitted, households that receive a seven-digit Application ID beginning with the number 8 can check their status or contact the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374.
LIHEAP assistance is separate from the monthly Low-Income Discount programs offered by participating Illinois electric and natural gas utilities. Some households may qualify for one or both programs depending on their utility and income.
Related: Illinois offers 5%–84% discounts on electric and gas bills
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