{"id":34137,"date":"2022-05-04T15:11:15","date_gmt":"2022-05-04T20:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=34137"},"modified":"2022-06-10T10:27:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T15:27:57","slug":"utility-resources-for-illinois-consumers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2022\/05\/04\/utility-resources-for-illinois-consumers\/","title":{"rendered":"Worried about expensive utility bills? Check out these resources for Illinois consumers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As energy prices skyrocket and an expensive summer approaches, CUB has compiled a list of resources to help consumers who are struggling with their bills. Please share this blog post\u00a0 with your friends and family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for utility services, the first step is to contact the utility. They will know what assistance is available and can give you information about special payment plans available to help you pay off your bills over a longer period of time. Below is the contact information for the major utilities:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comed.com\/MyAccount\/CustomerSupport\/Pages\/ContactInformation.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>ComEd<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-800-334-7661<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameren.com\/illinois\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Ameren<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-800-755-5000<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicorgas.com\/contact-us.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Nicor<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-888-642-6748<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplesgasdelivery.com\/secure\/ssl\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>People\u2019s Gas<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-866-556-6001 and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northshoregasdelivery.com\/secure\/ssl\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>North Shore Gas<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-866-556-6004\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>General\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dceo\/communityservices\/utilitybillassistance\/pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for energy\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">services. While the application period has passed this year (September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022), this is a good program to have in mind for the next application cycle. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dceo\/CommunityServices\/UtilityBillAssistance\/Pages\/HowtoApply.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DCEO website<\/strong><\/a> has more information on how to apply. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/learn-about-liheap\/\">Read CUB\u2019s LIHEAP fact sheet<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Electric\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comed.com\/MyAccount\/CustomerSupport\/Pages\/PaymentAssistance.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ComEd Payment Assistance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ComEd offers due date extensions, payment plan arrangements and fee waivers for eligible customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameren.com\/illinois\/account\/customer-service\/payment-options\/payment-assistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ameren Payment Assistance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ameren Illinois offers several forms of financial assistance, including short-term, o<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ne-time payment extensions and fixed monthly payment agreements to settle past b<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alances. (For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameren.com\/illinois\/company\/community\/warm-neighbors-cool-friends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Warm Neighbors Cool Friends <\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides year-round energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization to make harsh winters and hot summers bearable. Eligible households can receive $350 during the heating season and $200 during the cooling season.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Gas<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplesgasdelivery.com\/payment-bill\/share-warmth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peoples Gas Share the Warmth<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administered by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA), Share the Warmth provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers who make a payment toward their bills receive matching grants of up to $200. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northshoregasdelivery.com\/payment-bill\/share-warmth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Also available for North Shore Gas customers.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicorgas.com\/residential.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nicor Gas Sharing Program<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qualified residential customers can receive a one-time annual Sharing Grant of $350\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or $400, with no requirement to pay back. The program is administered through the\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salvation Army.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameren.com\/illinois\/account\/customer-service\/payment-options\/payment-assistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ameren Payment Assistance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ameren Illinois offers several forms of financial assistance, including short-term,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-time payment extensions and fixed monthly payment agreements to settle past\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">balances. (For example, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameren.com\/illinois\/company\/community\/warm-neighbors-cool-friends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Warm Neighbors Cool Friends <\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides year-round energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization to make harsh winters and hot summers bearable. Eligible households can receive $350 during the heating season and $200 during the cooling season.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Water<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dceo\/CommunityServices\/UtilityBillAssistance\/Pages\/LIHWAPStatePlan.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new temporary federal program offers one-time payments to qualifying customers who are struggling to pay their water and wastewater bills during the pandemic. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/LIHWAP.pdf\">Read CUB\u2019s fact sheet.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/city\/en\/depts\/fin\/provdrs\/utility_billing\/svcs\/utility-bill-relief-program.html#:~:text=Utility%20Billing%20Relief%20(UBR)%20provides,rate%20bills%20for%20one%20year.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicago Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administered by the City of Chicago, the UBR Program provides low-income Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax, as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Additional resources\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receiving assistance in other areas, such as housing, can free up more money to pay your utility bills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findhelp.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.FindHelp.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This website uses your zip code to connect you to nearby resources (ranging from housing to healthcare and more).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.illinoisrentalassistance.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emergency Rental Assistance Program<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), this program <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps secure stable housing for families, and ensure that tenants and Housing Providers\/Landlords are financially secure to prevent a tide of evictions due to COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/city\/en\/sites\/resilient-communities-pilot\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through this program, 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected in a citywide open application and lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If after reading this article, contacting your utility and\/or contacting the above resources, you have further questions, you can file an inquiry or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/complaintform\/\">complaint online<\/a><\/strong> or call CUB toll-free at <\/span><b>1-800-669-5556<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and speak to a consumer rights specialist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> CUB does not provide financial assistance and has no affiliation with any of the listed programs. All information is accurate to the best of our knowledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As energy prices skyrocket and an expensive summer approaches, CUB has compiled a list of resources to help consumers who are struggling with their bills. Please share this blog post\u00a0 with your friends and family.\u00a0 If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for utility services, the first step is to contact the utility. They will know what assistance is available and can give you information about special payment plans available to help you pay off your bills over a longer period of time. Below is the contact information for the major utilities:\u00a0 ComEd: 1-800-334-7661 Ameren: 1-800-755-5000 Nicor: 1-888-642-6748 People\u2019s Gas: 1-866-556-6001 and North Shore Gas: 1-866-556-6004\u00a0 General\u00a0 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,\u00a0LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for energy\u00a0services. While the application period has passed this year (September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022), this is a good program to have in mind for the next application cycle. The DCEO website has more information on how to apply. Read CUB\u2019s LIHEAP fact sheet. Electric\u00a0 ComEd Payment Assistance ComEd offers due date extensions, payment plan arrangements and fee waivers for eligible customers.\u00a0 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. (For example, Warm Neighbors Cool Friends provides year-round energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization to make harsh winters and hot summers bearable. Eligible households can receive $350 during the heating season and $200 during the cooling season.) Gas Peoples Gas Share the Warmth Administered by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA), Share the Warmth provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers who make a payment toward their bills receive matching grants of up to $200. Also available for North Shore Gas customers. Nicor Gas Sharing Program Qualified residential customers can receive a one-time annual Sharing Grant of $350\u00a0or $400, with no requirement to pay back. The program is administered through the\u00a0Salvation Army. Ameren Payment Assistance Ameren Illinois offers several forms of financial assistance, including short-term,\u00a0one-time payment extensions and fixed monthly payment agreements to settle past\u00a0balances. (For example, Warm Neighbors Cool Friends provides year-round energy bill payment assistance and home weatherization to make harsh winters and hot summers bearable. Eligible households can receive $350 during the heating season and $200 during the cooling season.) Water Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) A new temporary federal program offers one-time payments to qualifying customers who are struggling to pay their water and wastewater bills during the pandemic. Read CUB\u2019s fact sheet. Chicago Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program\u00a0 Administered by the City of Chicago, the UBR Program provides low-income Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax, as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Additional resources\u00a0 Receiving assistance in other areas, such as housing, can free up more money to pay your utility bills. www.FindHelp.org This website uses your zip code to connect you to nearby resources [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[302,299,1189,98,297,298,69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ameren","category-comed","category-energy-assistance","category-nicor","category-north-shore-gas","category-peoples-gas","category-updates"],"cp_meta_data":{"classic-editor-remember":["classic-editor"],"_edit_lock":["1654874739:25"],"_edit_last":["25"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":[""],"_wpsp_is_facebook_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_twitter_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_linkedin_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_pinterest_share":["off"],"_wpb_vc_js_status":["false"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["3"],"borntogive_page_header_show_hide":["2"],"borntogive_pages_title_show":["1"],"borntogive_pages_Choose_slider_display":["2"],"borntogive_pages_select_revolution_from_list":["3"],"borntogive_pages_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_effects":["fade"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_social_show":["1"],"borntogive_strict_no_sidebar":["0"],"borntogive_sidebar_columns_layout":["3"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_effects":["fade"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["69"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34137\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}