Financial Resources
Electric Resources
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP is designed to help income-eligible households pay for winter energy service. Call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-877-411-9276 or contact your Local Administering Agency or Community Action Agency (find out which agency serves you at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website). Read CUB’s fact sheet.
- Illinois Solar For All. Learn how income-qualified consumers can benefit from this program designed to give more people access to the benefits of solar power.
- ComEd
- ComEd Smart Assistance Manager (SAM) ComEd’s resource of programs providing financial assistance on electric bills for qualified customers.
- ComEd Deposit and Late Payment Charge Waiver Program. For eligible low-income residential customers, ComEd will waive deposits and late payment charges for one year.
- Ameren
- Warm Neighbors Cool Friends. This Ameren program provides energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization. Eligible households can receive up to $500 to help pay for energy costs.
- Ameren Payment Assistance. Ameren Illinois offers several forms of financial assistance, including short-term, one-time payment extensions and fixed monthly payment agreements to settle past balances.
- Ameren Income Eligible Status. Income-eligible Ameren Illinois residential customers can sign up for this status to have deposits for new service and late payment charges waived.
Gas Resources
- New: The Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) program (pdf version) offers gas-bill discounts for income-eligible customers. This program was ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2023.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP is designed to help income-eligible households pay for winter energy service. Call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-877-411-9276 or contact your Local Administering Agency or Community Action Agency (find out which agency serves you at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website). Read CUB’s fact sheet.
- Peoples Gas
- Share the Warmth. Share the Warmth provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers can receive grants of up to $200 on their bills. To apply, customers should go to the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) website or call 800-571-2332.
- Flexible payment arrangements. Customers can set up a flexible payment plan online or through the Peoples Gas app.
- Low Income Discount Program. Customers can receive grants as well as be on the Low Income Discount Rate program, described above.
- North Shore Gas
- Share the Warmth. Share the Warmth provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers can receive grants of up to $200 on their bills. To apply, call the Community Action Partnership of Lake County at 847-249-4330 to make an appointment to apply.
- Flexible payment arrangements. Customers can set up a flexible-payment plan online or through the North Shore Gas app.
- Low Income Discount Program. Customers can receive grants as well as be on the Low Income Discount Rate program.
- Nicor Gas
- Nicor Gas Sharing Program. One-time annual grants are given, with no requirement to be paid back, to income-eligible customers, including seniors and veterans. You must apply in person at your local Salvation Army office. Contact your local Salvation Army office or call the general Salvation Army help line at (773) 205-3570 to make an appointment and find out what paperwork is needed.
- Energy Aide Program. The Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program provides qualifying households with monetary relief for their natural gas bills. Eligibility is based on several factors, including household size and income.
- Shield of Caring Program. Shield of Caring is an emergency assistance program, it provides individuals and families in Nicor Gas’ service area with natural gas bill payment assistance and support for other basic needs, including housing, rental and grocery assistance.
- Low Income Discount Program. Customers can receive grants as well as be on the Low Income Discount Rate program.
- Flexible Payment Arrangements. In addition to energy assistance programs, Nicor Gas offers flexible payment arrangements. Call customer service at 888.642.6748 to set up a payment arrangement.
- Ameren Illinois (gas)
- Warm Neighbors Cool Friends. This Ameren program provides year-round energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization. Eligible households can receive up to $350 to help pay for energy costs ($350 during the heating season and $200 during the cooling season.)
- Ameren Payment Assistance. Ameren Illinois offers several forms of financial assistance, including short-term, one-time payment extensions and fixed monthly payment agreements to settle past balances.
- Payment Agreements. If you owe for past-due service, you may have the opportunity to make an arrangement with Ameren and avoid disconnection of your utility service.
Note: If your gas utility doesn’t have this information on its website, please still contact your utility’s customer service to see about any residential financial assistance resources and their guidelines for the statewide Low Income Discount Rate Program.
Water Resources
- The Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) program provides water-bill discounts for eligible customers of Illinois’ private water companies.
- Aqua Illinois Low Income Customer Resources
- Illinois American Water Customer Assistance Programs
- The City of Chicago’s Utility Billing Relief Program (See more City of Chicago utility bill resources)
Other Sources
- HelpIllinoisFamilies.com has statewide support for eligible Illinoisans seeking assistance to help cover utility bill costs, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities. This resource covers the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs.
- FindHelp.org can help you locate a wide range of assistance programs based on your Zip Code.
- Contact charities, such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities to see if they offer assistance for utility bills.
- Contact your municipality to see if they have assistance programs for residents.
- Visit Keep Warm Illinois and Keep Cool Illinois for state-level utility bill resources.
- City of Chicago has the Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) which provides service grants to assist income-eligible, owner-occupants of 1-to-4-unit properties with emergency heating system replacements or repairs during the winter season.
- Check with religious institutions and local mutual aid organizations. Ask friends and neighbors if they know of organizations providing assistance.
- Warming and cooling centers are available in state facilities across Illinois. These facilities are safe places to go to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The centers’ hours vary by location and are limited to each facility’s regular business hours. Find a warming center or a cooling center.
Note: CUB does not offer financial assistance and does not have an affiliation with or oversight of any of the above-mentioned programs. Please contact those programs directly.
