James R. Douglas, Director

345 West State Street
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
PHONE: (217) 243-9404
Hours are: 8:30 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:30 Monday – Friday

WHAT IS LIHEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is designed to assist eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.  LIHEAP provides a one-time benefit, paid directly to the utility(ies),  to supplement the cost of heating their home.   The amount of assistance is determined by the level of income, household size, fuel type and geographic location.  For the first time, LIHEAP clients who are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, or Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas, will have the option of choosing between the traditional one time Direct Vendor payment (DVP) plan or the new Percentage of Income Paymnet Plan (PIPP). Under PIPP, the eligible client will pay a percentage of their income, receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill, and lower their overdue bills for every on-time paymnet they make by the due date. The choices will be explained to LIHEAP clients during their application visit.

Because of the new PIPP program, LIHEAP clients should plan for up to 30-45 minutes for their appointment. Do not forget to bring ALL required documentation at the time including:

  • Proof of total gross household income, from all sources for the 30 day period prior to the application date.
  • A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
  • Social Security card for all household members.
  • Proof that household received TANF or other benefits, such as Medical Eligibility or SNAP, if receiving assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
  • If utilities are included in the rent, a copy of the rental agreement showing that utilities are included, the monthly rent amount and landlord contact information is required.

Reconnection Assistance may be available if your 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.  Assistance for reconnection will only be provided to households that have made a good faith effort to maintain their energy services, or can pay a portion of the amount owed for reconnection.

Emergency Furnace Assistance may be available for income eligible homeowners whose heating systems are non-operational or have been red-tagged as being unsafe by their utility company or a heating contractor.  The goal of this component of the program is to restore the heating system back to SAFE and effective operation either by repair or replacement.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE ?

If your household's combined GROSS income for the 30 days prior to application date is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as shown in the chart below, you may be eligible to receive assistance. If you rent, and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, your rent must be greater than 30% of your gross income in order to be elifible to receive assistance.

Household Size Previous 30 Days
1 $1,361
2 $1,839
3 $2,316
4 $2,794
5 $3,271
6 $3,749
7 $4,226
8 $4,704
9 $5,181

*Beyond 9, add $477 for each additional family member. These guidelines are effective July. 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012.

WHEN CAN HOUSEHOLDS APPLY?

Senior Citizens (60+) and/or households with a person receiving disability are given priority to apply in the months of September and October.  Beginning October 1, 2011 households with children under the age of 5 may apply. Emergency Furnance Assistance and Reconnection Assistance will also begin October 1, 2011. Beginning November 1, 2011 all other income eligible households may apply.

If interested, please call us for an appointment time and the current income guidelines.  Services are available as funding levels permit.  The program is operated on a first-come, first-served basis.  MCS Community Services reserves the right to deny applicants due to lack of funds or program ineligibility.

WHO PROVIDES THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM?

Funding is provided through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois and is administered by the Illinois Department Commerce and Economic Opportunity-Office of Energy Assistance.

For more information, please call us at 217-243-9404 or toll-free 1-888-288-4413.