Program Year 2019 Priority Periods for 

Energy Assistance Customers

October 1, 2018 – Households containing elderly, disabled or both

November 1, 2018 - Households containing elderly, disabled and/or children under the age of 6. Or anyone with a disconnect notice.  

November 1, 2018- Emergency Furnace Assistance begins.

December 1, 2018 – General Low Income Population

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, administered by Madison County Community Development, assists eligible, low-income households pay for winter energy services by providing a one-time benefit to be used for energy bills. 

The amount of the support available is determined by income, household size and heat type.  An overdue bill or disconnect notice is not required for participation in the program.  Individuals do not have to own their home or directly pay energy bills to be eligible for assistance. 

Reconnection assistance may be available as part of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program if the household is disconnected from an energy source needed for heating and/or a delivered-fuel supplier has refused to deliver and the tank contains 25% or less, or when disconnection of heat or secondary energy source is a imminent threat (occurring within 7 days).

Funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is made available by the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services.

Madison County Community Development additionally serves as an administrator for three Ameren utility assistance programs – Ameren Rate  Relief Bill Payment Assistance, Ameren Rate Relief Hardship Assistance and Ameren UE Dollar-More Program.

Madison County residents may be eligible to participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program if the combined income of individuals in the household is at or below the following income levels:

Additional Income Guidelines from Benefits.gov

Additionally, if utility expenses are included in the rent, then an individual’s rent must be greater than 30 percent of their total income to be eligible to receive benefits.

When applying for assistance, applicants should provide proof of gross income from all household members for the 30 days prior to the application date, a current medical card (if applicable), a copy of the current energy bill and social security numbers for each household member.

During the heating season, which runs October through April, persons would apply for energy assistance at one of the following intake sites:

OUTREACH SITES FOR LIHEAP APPLICATIONS
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY FOR 2018

                                            EMERGENCY APPLICATIONS OUTREACH SITES

For additional information on the Madison County Community Development Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or to schedule an appointment, please call (618) 296-6485.