Older adults, people with disabilities, households with young children and residents facing utility shutoffs can apply first. For customers of five major utilities, a family of four may qualify with income up to $99,000 a year.
Updated Sept. 3, 2026.
Illinois households will begin applying for the 2026-27 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, on Oct. 1, while monthly electric and natural gas discounts remain available through major utilities.
The first application period covers adults age 60 and older, people with disabilities, households with a child age 5 or younger and residents facing an immediate energy crisis. That includes households already disconnected, those with a shutoff scheduled within seven days and propane customers with less than 25% left in their tank.
All other income-eligible households can begin applying on Nov. 1, 2026. The LIHEAP application period continues through Aug. 13, 2027, or until available funding runs out.
For customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas, the income limit reaches $99,000 a year for a household of four. Eligibility uses gross household income before taxes.
A family of four can qualify with $8,250 in 30-day income
Illinois uses income received during the 30 days before the application to determine eligibility for customers of the five major utilities.
- 1 person: $3,990 for 30 days, or $47,880 annualized
- 2 people: $5,410 for 30 days, or $64,920 annualized
- 3 people: $6,830 for 30 days, or $81,960 annualized
- 4 people: $8,250 for 30 days, or $99,000 annualized
- 5 people: $9,670 for 30 days, or $116,040 annualized
- 6 people: $11,090 for 30 days, or $133,080 annualized
Those limits equal 300% of the federal poverty guidelines for the 2027 program year. However, households served by federally funded utilities or energy vendors use a different standard based on 60% of the Illinois State Median Income.
Renters may also qualify when heating costs are included in the rent.
Related: Chicago homeowners can get 50% off water and sewer bills, plus debt forgiveness
Applications open Oct. 1 for four priority groups
Illinois will begin accepting LIHEAP applications Oct. 1 from households that fall into at least one of these groups:
- Adults age 60 or older.
- Individuals with a disability.
- Households with at least one child age 5 or younger.
- Households facing an immediate utility or energy crisis.
The crisis category includes customers whose service is already disconnected or scheduled for disconnection within seven days. It also includes households with less than 25% remaining in a propane tank.
Meanwhile, other households that meet the income rules can begin applying Nov. 1.
Applicants need income records and a recent utility bill
Households can submit a Request for Services through Help Illinois Families or apply directly through the agency that serves their county.
Applicants generally need:
- Proof of household income received during the previous 30 days.
- A recent heating and/or electric bill issued within the last 30 days.
- Social Security cards or ITINs for household members who have them.
- A rental agreement when heating costs are included in rent.
- Proof of TANF, SNAP or other qualifying benefits when applicable.
Residents who do not have a Social Security number or ITIN can still apply. The local administering agency will determine what information is needed for the application.
Households that need help completing the Request for Services form can call 1-833-711-0374.
Those who already have a shutoff notice or have lost gas or electric service can contact their county agency directly.
Gas discounts range from 5% to 84% based on income
LIHEAP is separate from Illinois’ Low-Income Discount programs, although the two programs often work together.
Eligible LIHEAP customers of major utilities can receive monthly discounts on their bills. In addition, some households that do not qualify for LIHEAP can still receive a lower utility discount if their income falls within the utility’s eligibility range.
- Ameren Illinois Gas: 5% to 84%
- Peoples Gas: 5% to 83%
- ComEd: up to 80% on electric bills
- North Shore Gas: 5% to 79%
- Nicor Gas: 5% to 77%
The largest discounts go to households with the lowest incomes. For natural gas customers, households between 201% and 300% of the federal poverty level generally fall into the 5% discount tier.
Ameren Illinois starts its electric discount Oct. 1
Ameren Illinois will also begin its Electric Service Discount Program on Oct. 1, 2026.
The program uses household income and home heating type to determine how much an eligible customer pays toward electricity. ComEd already offers its own sliding-scale electric discount to qualifying households.
Illinois households can submit the LIHEAP Request for Services during their eligible application month through Illinois’ official utility assistance program.
The 2026-27 LIHEAP season runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Aug. 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted.
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