Utility Energy Assistance

Utility Energy Assistance
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Utility Energy Assistance
Struggling to pay bills? Financial assistance is available for low-income Illinoisans.
Bill Payment Assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program helps eligible individuals and families pay for home heating costs. Millions in LIHEAP funds will be available starting October 1, 2025, for select groups. Applications open November 1, 2025, for all other income eligible households. The application period runs through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. For additional information about income eligibility levels, necessary documentation, and where to apply visit the
DCEO website
or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-833-711-0374.
Low Income Discount Rates
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
Lifeline Assistance Program
ISSUES WITH YOUR UTILITY?
Addressing a concern with your utility service - electric, natural gas, local telephone, sewer, or water - can be time-consuming and frustrating. Our consumer services counselors provide assistance to consumers in the resolution of informal complaints. Counselors can be reached at 1-800-524-0795.
File A Complaint
Low Income Discount Rates
New low-income discount rates are available for eligible natural gas (Ameren IL, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas) and water (Aqua, Illinois American Water and Prairie Path) customers whose incomes are at or below 300 percent Similar rates are expected to be available for eligible electric customers starting 2026.
Natural Gas Customers
In November 2023, the ICC ordered Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas to establish five tier low-income discount rates for eligible natural gas customers.
Depending upon household size and income, the program will offer a 5-84 percent monthly total bill credit for qualifying customers.
Utility
Tier 1
0-50% FPL
Tier 2
51-100% FPL
Tier 3
101-150% FPL
Tier 4
151-200% FPL
Tier 5
200-300% FPL
Peoples Gas
83%
68%
45%
20%
5%
North Shore Gas
79%
60%
36%
12%
5%
Nicor
77%
57%
27%
12%
5%
Ameren Illinois Gas
84%
52%
19%
5%
5%
Updated Jan 2026
Customers already enrolled in
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
will automatically qualify for the newly established low-income discount rates. These households should apply annually through their
local community action agency
.
Customers not currently eligible for LIHEAP, but whose income falls within 201-300 percent of FPL will still qualify for a 5 percent discount by self-reporting their income eligibility to their utility at the links below.
Ameren Illinois Gas
Nicor Gas
North Shore Gas
Peoples Gas
As part of the ICC’s decisions, the utilities will be required to submit annual reports documenting cost-reduction from the program.
Water Customers
Starting July 1, 2025,
eligible Aqua Illinois customers
whose incomes are at or below 150 percent of the FPL will be able to receive a 70 percent discount on all base volumetric charges.
Illinois America Water now offers a four-tier
Income-Based Discount Program
for residential customers whose incomes up to 300 percent of the FPL. Eligible customers can receive a 10-80 percent monthly discount on their water and/or wastewater bills.
Eligible Prairie Path Water Company customers whose incomes are at or below 100% of the FPL are able to receive a 70% discount on base volumetric charges up to 3,414 gallons of usage.
Electric Customers - Beginning 2026
Beginning in February 2026, ComEd will offer sliding scale discount rates. Eligible customers at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) can receive a 5-80 percent monthly discount on their electric bills and are also encouraged to enroll in ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program to manage energy use and further bill reductions.
Starting June 2026, Ameren Illinois customers with incomes up to 300 percent of the FPL can access a new discounted affordability program designed to ensure non-space heating customers pay no more than 3 percent of their verified monthly income toward electricity bills. Income-eligible space heating customers will pay no more than 6 percent. Upon enrollment, customers will also be placed on Ameren’s rollover budget billing program.
Customers with incomes at or below 300 percent of the FPL already enrolled in the LIHEAP will automatically qualify for the new low-income discount rates, dependent upon household size and income. Customers not currently eligible for LIHEAP, but whose income falls within 201-300 percent FPL must self-report their income eligibility directly to their utility.
Disconnection Rules
Extreme Heat Rules
Effective January 1, 2024, Illinois law prohibits utility disconnections when temperatures are forecasted to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This rule prohibits electric and natural gas utilities providing the sole source of residential space cooling from disconnecting customers for non-payment on days when the temperature is predicted to rise to 90+ degrees or when the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch, advisory, or warning.
Customers facing disconnection due to arrearages should contact their utility to enroll in deferred payment programs. LIHEAP and low-income discount rates are also available for income-eligible customers. To see if you qualify, please visit the
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website
.
Winter Rules
Each year between December 1 and March 31 winter disconnection prohibition rules are in effect for eligible residents who use electric or gas to heat their homes. Under the rules, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) participants; electric space heating customers; and military personnel/veterans shall not be disconnected for non-payment during this period. The commitment excludes disconnections related to theft, tampering or safety.
Other residential customers or master-metered apartment buildings shall not be disconnected for nonpayment of a bill or deposit where gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises during the previous winter unless:
The utility has offered the customer a Deferred Payment Arrangement with a maximum down payment of 10 percent and provided the customer with contact information for public and private aid agencies;
The customer has refused to enter a DPA; and
All disconnection notices provisions have been met.
Cold weather rules also go into effect on days for eligible customers when the temperature is forecast to be at freezing or below on those days/weekends/holidays.
To protect accounts from disconnection customers with past due balances should contact their utility to enroll in a deferred payment arrangement. Customers who have not already applied for LIHEAP or PIPP are encouraged to do so, as this will also protect their gas and/or electric services in addition to gaining assistance for their bills.
If your electric or gas services have already been disconnected, depending on your circumstances, beginning in October and November you may also qualify for reconnection for less than the full amount owed. Contact your utility for details. You can also contact the ICC’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 for further guidance or to file a complaint.
Energy Efficiency Savings
Consumers can lower utility bills by reducing energy usage. Home Energy Assessments help consumers identify where your home is losing energy and recommend fixes. To book an appointment:
ComEd and Nicor Gas customers should call 1-855-433-2700 or click
here
Ameren Customers can find a Program Ally Contractor
here
Peoples Gas customers can schedule an assessment
here
North Shore Gas customers can schedule an assessment
here
If you are planning a DIY project, visit
Energy.Gov
for tips on how to conduct your own home energy audit.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is not currently accepting new applications due to limited funds. For more information on available assistance programs visit the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website or call the Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374.
Updates: Late Payment Charges, Deposits, and Waivers
New Sections 8-201.7 and 8-201.8
Starting September 16, 2021, state law prohibits electric utilities from charging late-payment fees or charges to low income customers and prohibits electric and gas utilities from requiring low income customers to pay a deposit to have service connected, reconnected, or to continue receiving services. Gas and electric utilities must also refund deposits to low-income customers who have paid them.
Under the new law, a low-income customer is (i) a member of a household at or below 80 percent of the community or county median household income; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for LIHEAP; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in PIPP; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline telephone service (free or discounted telephone service available to low-income people).
Any low-income customer who has been charged a late-payment fee on a recent electric bill should contact their electric utility first to find out whether the fee can be taken off their bill.
Any low-income customer who has been charged a deposit by a utility to have service connected, reconnected, or to continue to receive service should contact the utility first to find out whether the deposit can be refunded.
The ICC’s Consumer Services Division is also ready to help and can be reached between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-524-0795, 1-217-782-2024 outside the State of Illinois, or TTY at 1-800-858-9277.
Utility Assistance
Energy Assistance
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends/Weatherization Program
Moderate income customers
Bill payment assistance
Help with weatherization improvement costs
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Agreements
Pay balance over time
Pick a Due Date
Budget Billing
Fixed monthly payment
Phone and Website
1-800-755-5000
www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance
Customer Assistance
H2O Help to Others Program
Administered in partnership with the Salvation Army. Up to $200 financial assistance for residential accounts from Illinois American Water.
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Agreements
pay balance over time
Budget Billing
fixed monthly payment over a period of 12 months based on the residential customer's anticipated annual billing.
Phone and Website
1-800-422-2782
www.amwater.com/ilaw/customer-service-billing/customer-assistance-program
Customer Assistance
Aqua Aid
Administered in partnership with the Salvation Army.
Residential customers can qualify for assistance up to $150.00 for water only and up to $250.00 for combined water and sewer.
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Agreements
Balance paid over time up to 12 months
Phone and Website
1-877-987-2782
www.aquaamerica.com/customer-service-center/aqua-aid.aspx
Energy Assistance
Energy Assistance
Financial Assistance from ComEd
ComEd continually updates it’s website to communicate available assistance opportunities (including financial assistance and energy efficiency):
www.ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance
ComEd offers many types of assistance. Let the Smart Assistance Manager (SAM) tool match you with the right option. Explore programs without having to contact customer service and let us guide you through the application process.
www.ComEd.com/SAM
ComEd's website consolidates various state, federal and local assistance opportunities, including the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (where administrators have evolving application windows for rental and utility assistance)
www.comed.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/StateLocalResources.aspx
ComEd Energy Efficiency Program
Offerings specially designed for income eligible customers to help them save on energy bills.
ComEd.com/IncomeEligible
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Arrangement: Pay balance over time (4-12 months), based on eligibility
Due date extension
www.ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance
Phone and Website
1-888-806-CARE
www.ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance
www.ComEd.com/SAM
Energy Assistance
Nicor Gas Sharing Grant
One-time grant between $250 and $500 that does not need to be paid back
Contact local Salvation Army office to apply
Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program
One-time grant up to $350 for past-due account balances that does not need to be paid back
Nicor Gas Shield of Caring
Beginning Jan. 16, 2023 one-time grant up to $250 for past-due account balances that does not need to be paid back
Contact local Salvation Army office to apply or visit
shieldofcaring.com
Free Energy Efficiency Assessments and Energy-Saving Products
Call 1-877-866-4239 for more information
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Arrangements and The Budget Plan
Payment arrangements gives more time to pay outstanding balances and Budget Plan helps avoid unpredictable bills from month to month
Phone and Website
1-888-Nicor4U
(888-642-6748)
www.nicorgas.com/energyassistance
Energy Assistance
Share the Warmth
Grants up to $200, based on income eligibility
https://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/payment-bill/share-warmth
https://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/payment-bill/share-warmth
Billing & Payment Options
Deferred Payment Arrangements
If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, flexible payment arrangement plans may help.
https://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/payment-bill/assistance
https://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/payment-bill/assistance
Budget Billing
Designed to eliminate the seasonal variations in your energy bills, so your bill remains stable from month to month.
https://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/payment-bill/budget
https://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/payment-bill/budget
Energy Efficiency Programs
The Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs provide energy-saving solutions, rebates and incentives for customers.
https://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/savings/rebates
https://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/savings/rebates
Phone and Website
1-866-556-6004
www.northshoregasdelivery.com/payment-bill/assistance
1-866-556-6001
www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/payment-bill/assistance