1.0Citizens Utility Boardhttps://www.citizensutilityboard.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="lSSblZo8vu"><a href="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2022/05/04/utility-resources-for-illinois-consumers/">Worried about expensive utility bills? Check out these resources for Illinois consumers</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2022/05/04/utility-resources-for-illinois-consumers/embed/#?secret=lSSblZo8vu" width="600" height="338" title="“Worried about expensive utility bills? Check out these resources for Illinois consumers” — Citizens Utility Board" data-secret="lSSblZo8vu" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! 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Please share this blog post  with your friends and family.  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:  ComEd: 1-800-334-7661 Ameren: 1-800-755-5000 Nicor: 1-888-642-6748 People’s Gas: 1-866-556-6001 and North Shore Gas: 1-866-556-6004  General  Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for energy 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 DCEO website has more information on how to apply. Read CUB’s LIHEAP fact sheet. Electric  ComEd Payment Assistance ComEd offers due date extensions, payment plan arrangements and fee waivers for eligible customers.  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 or $400, with no requirement to pay back. The program is administered through the Salvation Army. 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.) 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’s fact sheet. Chicago Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program  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  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 […]https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png254254