Illinois LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and utility bills through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), administered locally through a network of Local Administering Agencies (LAAs) — primarily community action agencies — covering every Illinois county. The program runs from October 1 through August 15 each year, and Illinois has one of the largest LIHEAP programs in the Midwest with nearly $200 million in FY 2026 federal funding.
Illinois LIHEAP offers more program options than most states: a standard one-time heating grant, a crisis assistance component, a Furnace Assistance program, and the PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) — an ongoing monthly benefit that caps a household’s utility costs at a set percentage of income. Illinois also bundles LIHEAP with the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program through the same LAA network, providing access to food, rent, medicine, and other emergency assistance in a single application.
What Does Illinois LIHEAP Cover?
Heating Assistance (Standard LIHEAP) — a one-time payment per program year toward heating bills (electric, gas, propane, oil, or wood), sent directly to the utility company. Benefit range: $58 minimum to $2,564 maximum. Amount depends on household size, income, and heating type.
Reconnection / Imminent Disconnection Assistance — for households disconnected or within 7 days of disconnection, LAAs can provide emergency reconnection payments outside the standard benefit timeline.
Furnace Assistance — for households that received a LIHEAP energy assistance benefit and whose existing heating system is non-operational or unsafe. Covers repair or replacement of the heating system. Available from approved LAAs while funding lasts.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency help for heating crises including weather or supply emergencies. Maximum: $1,500. Available October 1 through August 15.
PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) — an ongoing monthly benefit program for customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas. Under PIPP:
- Participants pay no more than 6% of their income for gas and electric service combined
- The state pays a monthly benefit toward the utility bill
- Households making on-time PIPP payments receive a monthly arrearage credit of 1/12th of past-due bills (up to $1,000/year per utility) — eliminating old debt over time
- PIPP applications are accepted through December 31; recertification for current PIPP customers continues year-round
- Note for 2026: Due to funding availability, PIPP was not accepting new applications October 1, 2025 through August 15, 2026 — only recertifications continued. Standard one-time LIHEAP remained open. Check dceo.illinois.gov for 2026 PIPP availability.
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades. Income limit: 200% FPL. Weatherization maximum: $12,000. Year-round.
Low Income Discounts (LIDs) — beginning January 1, 2026, LIHEAP-approved households of Ameren Illinois (gas), Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas, and ComEd (electric) automatically receive monthly LID discounts on their utility bills — a 5–84% monthly bill credit depending on income and household size. Ameren Illinois electric LIDs are projected later in 2026. No separate application needed once LIHEAP is approved.
SLEAF (Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund) — Illinois’s state-level supplement to LIHEAP. Funded by a monthly surcharge on gas and electric utility customers, SLEAF provides approximately $65 million annually for low-income bill assistance and $7.6 million for weatherization on top of the federal LIHEAP allocation.
Illinois LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
Illinois uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for heating and crisis programs. For very large households (15+ members), 150% FPL applies. Weatherization uses 200% FPL.
For the 2025–2026 program year, the 60% SMI income guidelines published by DCEO are:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (60% Illinois SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,332 |
| 2 | $4,357 |
| 3 | $5,382 |
| 4 | $6,407 |
| 5 | $7,432 |
| 6 | $8,457 |
| 7 | $8,649 |
| 8 | $8,842 |
Income is measured as the household’s gross combined income for the 30 days prior to application. Figures from the official DCEO 2025–2026 LIHEAP flyer. Confirm current-year figures at dceo.illinois.gov or by calling 1-833-711-0374.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Illinois LIHEAP has no asset test.
Heat-in-rent eligibility: If you rent and your heat is included in your rent, you may still be eligible. However, your rent must be greater than 30% of your income for heat-in-rent eligibility. If eligible, Illinois pays a one-time cash payment directly to the household (rather than to a utility company).
Illinois’s Three-Tier Priority Application Schedule
Illinois has one of the most detailed priority schedules in the series:
October 1 — Priority Tier (apply first):
- Older adults (age 60+)
- Individuals with a disability
- Families with at least one child age 5 or under
- Households that are already disconnected from utilities/energy vendors
- Households with a disconnect date within 7 days
- Households with less than 25% propane in their tank
November 1 — General Population: All other income-eligible households
December 31: PIPP application deadline (when open)
August 15: Final day to apply for heating and crisis assistance
This tiered structure ensures the most vulnerable households access limited funds before the general population window opens. Apply on the first day your tier opens — funding is first-come, first-served.
Who Qualifies for Illinois LIHEAP
To be eligible for Illinois LIHEAP:
- Illinois residency: You must live in Illinois
- Income: Household gross income for the prior 30 days at or below 60% Illinois SMI
- Energy cost responsibility: You must pay for home energy — directly or as part of rent exceeding 30% of income
CSBG co-eligibility: Illinois LAAs administer both LIHEAP and CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) through the same application. CSBG has different (and sometimes broader) income limits than LIHEAP. Completing one LAA application screens you for LIHEAP, CSBG, and potentially weatherization simultaneously.
How to Apply for Illinois LIHEAP
Step 1 — Find Your Local Administering Agency (LAA)
Illinois LIHEAP is applied for through your county’s LAA — not through DCEO directly.
- Call the Help Illinois Families hotline at 1-833-711-0374
- Visit dceo.illinois.gov and use the Find My Local Agency tool
- The LIHEAP phone number directory also lists Illinois’s statewide number
For a general overview of the LIHEAP process, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Step 2 — Submit a Request for Services Form (Online)
Illinois offers an online Request for Services form — a free, convenient way to submit remotely without an in-person visit. Complete the form at the DCEO or LAA portal. This initiates your application and assigns a 7-digit Application ID starting with the number 7.
Alternatively, contact your LAA to apply by phone, mail, fax, or in person, depending on the agency.
Step 3 — Required Documents
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of gross income for the 30 days prior to application — pay stubs, benefit award letters (SNAP, SSI, Social Security, etc.)
- Most recent utility bill showing your account number and address
- For heat-in-rent situations: proof that rent exceeds 30% of income (lease agreement)
Step 4 — Check Application Status
After submitting, track your 7-digit Application ID (starts with a 7) at: liheap2025.ilenergyassistance.com/customerinquiry/ — or call 1-833-711-0374.
General guidance on tracking any LIHEAP application is also available at how to check your LIHEAP application status.
Processing time: The state estimates a response ranging from days to weeks depending on submission date, funding availability, and the type of services requested. Applications are processed in order received.
Illinois LIHEAP Funding 2026
Illinois received $199,837,523 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $4,373,200 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Illinois served 205,143 heating households, 40,513 crisis households, and 2,984 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare Illinois with other states.
Illinois also supplements federal LIHEAP with approximately $72 million annually from SLEAF (the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund) — funded by utility customer surcharges — making Illinois’s total low-income energy assistance investment one of the largest in the Midwest.
Additional Resources for Illinois Families
Illinois SNAP: Check Illinois SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Illinois.
Illinois Medicaid: Check Illinois Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Illinois WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or visit 211illinois.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for Illinois LIHEAP?
Illinois uses 60% of State Median Income — $3,332/month for a single person and $6,407/month for a household of 4 for the 2025–2026 season. Income is measured over the 30 days prior to application. There is no asset limit. Confirm at dceo.illinois.gov.
What is PIPP in Illinois?
PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) is an ongoing monthly LIHEAP benefit available to customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas. Under PIPP, participants pay no more than 6% of their income for gas and electric service, receive monthly state credits, and earn arrearage reduction credits of 1/12th of past-due bills for every on-time payment (up to $1,000/year per utility). PIPP is not accepting new applications for 2026 — check dceo.illinois.gov for updates.
What is SLEAF?
SLEAF (Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund) is Illinois’s state supplement to federal LIHEAP, funded by a monthly surcharge on gas and electric utility customers. SLEAF provides approximately $65 million/year for low-income bill assistance and $7.6 million for weatherization on top of federal funding.
How do I check my Illinois LIHEAP application status?
Use your 7-digit Application ID (starting with the number 7) at liheap2025.ilenergyassistance.com/customerinquiry/ or call 1-833-711-0374.
What are the Low Income Discounts (LIDs)?
LIDs are automatic monthly utility bill discounts (5–84%) for LIHEAP-approved households of Ameren Illinois (gas), Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas, and ComEd (electric, beginning January 1, 2026). No separate LID application is required once you’re approved for LIHEAP.
For current Illinois LIHEAP information and to find your local administering agency, visit dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices/utilitybillassistance or call 1-833-711-0374.