ENERGY BILL GRANT PROGRAM SET TO CLOSE ON MAY 31

(Macomb, Illinois, March 25, 2022) – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal grant program that helps eligible homeowners and renters with paying their winter home heating bills. The social service program is only available certain months out of the year, and local program managers say that households should apply as soon as possible because there are no plans at this time for a summer assistance program.

Macomb-based nonprofit Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) manages LIHEAP in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties. The program is set to close for the season at 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2022. While the deadline is still over a month away, WIRC-CAA team members say that it is important to call the agency now to schedule an appointment.

“Appointments, which are held by phone, are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and we typically schedule a few weeks out during busier times,” said WIRC-CAA Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth. “When your application is complete, it could take an additional 30 to 40 days before you see a credit on your utility bill.”

Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to qualify, and each applicant must provide documentation about their current financial situation before their application is considered complete. The current 30-day income guidelines are as follows: $2,147 for a one-person household; $2,903 for a two-person household; $3,660 for a three-person household; and $4,417 for a four-person household. Contact WIRC-CAA to learn about income limits for larger households.

If all of the guidelines and requirements are met, a one-time payment will be made directly to the applicant’s utility company. The amount awarded varies depending on each household’s specific situation, and, because it is a grant, the award does not have to be paid back. Households can apply once per program season.

Roth continued that elderly and disabled individuals who are on a fixed income are strongly encouraged to apply, and that there are plenty of program funds to go around. “Several elderly applicants have told our team that they are worried about taking money away from people who really need it,” said Roth. “We want to assure people that is not going to happen. This federal program is here to give you one less thing to worry about. Please contact the agency to apply if you fit within our income guidelines.”

To apply for LIHEAP or learn more about it, call WIRC-CAA at 309-837-2997 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information can be found on their website at https://wirpc.org/liheap/. After the May 31 deadline, the next season of the program is expected to begin in Fall 2022.

WIRC & CAA are multifaceted agencies that serve multiple counties in western Illinois. The Community Action Agency provides a wide range of social service programs for people in need, including a food pantry, an energy assistance program, and more. For more information about WIRC & CAA, visit https://wirpc.org/, find Western Illinois Regional Council & Community Action Agency on social media, or call (309) 837-2997. WIRC & CAA are Equal Housing Opportunity and Equal Opportunity Employers.