THE FOLLOWING IS AN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY RELEASE
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for income qualified households beginning October 1, 2026.
August 11, 2026 – Vermilion County, Illinois: The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program in Vermilion County is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.
The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2026 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families with children age five years and under, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2026.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, eligible customers will be served through scheduled appointments. On Wednesdays, eligible customers will be served and on a first-come, first-served basis. ECICAA will process LIHEAP applications on October 1, 2026, through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.
The program has expanded eligibility this year. Households that are customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to receive a benefit from LIHEAP. The income guidelines are as follows:
Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
30-day Income $3,990 $5,410 $6,830 $8,250 $9,670 $11,090 $12,510 $13,930
Households that are customers of federally funded unregulated utilities/energy vendors must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income to receive a benefit from LIHEAP. The income guidelines are as follows:
The 30-day income guidelines for The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are based on either Federal Poverty Guidelines or State Median Income, and the number of persons living in the household. Go to www.comaction.org or liheapillinois.com to know income limits for households with 8 members and more.
