Published Aug. 22, 2026.
By Hola Illinois
Discounts vary by income, household size and utility. ComEd and four gas companies already offer monthly credits. Ameren Illinois Electric starts Oct. 1.
Eligible Illinois customers can receive monthly discounts on their electric or natural gas bills. Utilities provide the credits through their Low-Income Discount programs.
Currently, the programs cover customers of ComEd, Ameren Illinois Gas, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. Discounts start at 5% and can exceed 80% for households with the lowest incomes.
However, each utility uses a different scale. Ameren Illinois Gas offers the highest discount at 84%. Peoples Gas offers up to 83%, ComEd up to 80%, North Shore Gas up to 79% and Nicor Gas up to 77%.
In addition, utilities automatically enroll many customers who receive LIHEAP, PIPP or other qualifying aid. Other households with incomes of up to 300% of the federal poverty level can apply directly through their utility.
- Ameren Illinois Gas: 5% to 84%.
- Peoples Gas: 5% to 83%.
- ComEd: 5% to 80% on electric bills.
- North Shore Gas: 5% to 79%.
- Nicor Gas: 5% to 77%.
- Ameren Illinois Electric: Scheduled to begin Oct. 1, 2026.
Related coverage: Illinois is also issuing an automatic $400 payment to eligible residents who lost SNAP because of federal work requirements.
The highest discount is limited to the lowest income level
The programs divide customers into five income levels. Households with lower incomes receive larger discounts.
| Utility | Service | Monthly discount | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ameren Illinois Gas | Natural gas | 5% to 84% | Active |
| Peoples Gas | Natural gas | 5% to 83% | Active |
| ComEd | Electricity | 5% to 80% | Active |
| North Shore Gas | Natural gas | 5% to 79% | Active |
| Nicor Gas | Natural gas | 5% to 77% | Active |
| Ameren Illinois Electric | Electricity | Based on income and type of home heating | Begins Oct. 1, 2026 |
For example, Peoples Gas gives an 83% discount to households with incomes at or below 50% of the federal poverty level. Its other discounts are 68%, 45%, 20% and 5% as income rises.
Meanwhile, Nicor Gas offers discounts ranging from 77% to 5%. North Shore Gas uses a range of 79% to 5%.
By comparison, Ameren Illinois Gas offers between 84% and 5%. Its 84% discount applies only to customers in the lowest income level.
Households can qualify with incomes up to 300% of the poverty level
In general, households can qualify with incomes of up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Under the 2026 guidelines, that equals about $47,880 a year for one person.
The limit rises to about $64,920 for two people. For a family of four, the annual limit is about $99,000.
Some utilities also accept households that meet certain area median income limits. Customers enrolled in programs such as Lifeline may qualify as well.
Still, the final discount depends on the utility, income and number of people in the home. ComEd also considers whether a customer uses electricity for home heating.
Customers who report their income directly to a utility without a LIHEAP decision generally receive the basic 5% discount. Higher discounts require more proof of income.
LIHEAP closed Aug. 15, but direct utility applications remain available
Illinois closed its 2025-2026 LIHEAP application period Aug. 15. However, that deadline does not end discounts already applied to customer accounts.
It also does not close every direct utility application. Households that do not qualify for LIHEAP may still qualify for a Low-Income Discount.
As a result, the application process depends on the company listed on the bill. Some utilities accept direct online forms, while others work through community agencies.
Customers who previously received LIHEAP or PIPP may already have the discount. However, they will need to renew their eligibility when the next assistance period opens to keep an income-based tier.
ComEd accepts income certification online
Eligible ComEd customers can use Smart Assistance Manager to report their income and request the discount. ComEd does not accept self-certification by phone.
After approval, the credit can appear within one or two billing cycles. Customers will see it listed as “Low-Income Discount” on the bill.
Enrollment lasts up to 12 months for the first four income levels. In contrast, customers receiving the basic 5% discount can remain enrolled for up to 24 months.
Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore use different applications
Nicor Gas automatically enrolls customers who receive LIHEAP, PIPP, Nicor Gas Sharing or other qualifying aid. Other customers can apply online, by mail, fax or phone.
The Nicor Gas number is 888-642-6748. In addition to the monthly discount, qualifying customers may receive waivers of deposits and late fees.
Peoples Gas customers in Chicago can apply for the first four income levels through CEDA. The number is 800-571-2332. Meanwhile, the utility offers a separate form for the basic 5% discount.
North Shore Gas works with the Community Action Partnership of Lake County for its first four levels. The agency’s number is 847-249-4330. Customers seeking the 5% discount can use the utility’s direct form.
Finally, eligible Ameren Illinois Gas customers may receive automatic enrollment through LIHEAP. Customers seeking the 5% discount can also report their income directly to Ameren.
Current application links for participating utilities are available through the Illinois Commerce Commission’s utility assistance center.
Ameren Illinois Electric begins its discount Oct. 1
Ameren Illinois Electric will begin its discount program Oct. 1, 2026. Therefore, the electric discount is not yet active for Ameren customers.
For now, the gas discounts from Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas remain active. ComEd’s electric discount also remains available as of Aug. 22, 2026.
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