Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to Resume starting October 1st
By: Forgottonia Times™ Report
With the colder months of the year quickly approaching, WIRC-Community Action Agency, is happy to announce they have resumed one of their most popular programs: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program helps income-eligible households with paying their winter home heating bills, and it is open to renters and homeowners.
WIRC manages LIHEAP in five western Illinois counties: Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren. Households considered to be more vulnerable will have an earlier chance at getting an appointment. The following priority groups will be able to apply starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Older adults (ages 60 and older); Individuals with a disability; Families with children under the age of six; and Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25% of fuel remaining in their propane tank. All other households that do not fit into one or more of the categories previously listed can apply starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024. Applications for this program season will be taken until August 15, 2025, or when funding runs out.
Applications are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. LIHEAP caseworkers can meet with applicants in-person at a pre-approved intake site, or, if a household cannot travel, meet with a household member by phone. To be considered for LIHEAP, households will be required to verify their income, and other items relevant to their application, by providing certain documentation which can be found on https://liheapillinois.com/. New this season, LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas will receive a monthly discount on their natural gas bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates.
To apply, residents of Knox County should call WIRC’s Galesburg office at 309-837-5115 to schedule a LIHEAP appointment. Residents of Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties should contact WIRC’s main office in Macomb at 309-837-2997 to schedule their LIHEAP appointment. Both offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on holidays).
WIRC officials say LIHEAP is one of their most popular programs, and that their phone lines can be very busy in early October. They want to thank applicants ahead of time for their patience, and encourage them to call back at another time if their call cannot get through. They also want callers to keep in mind that appointment slots quickly fill up, and it is typical for appointments to be scheduled several weeks out. Funding for LIHEAP is provided by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) is a nonprofit that helps people and communities in multiple western Illinois counties. The Agency offers a wide range of social service and community development programs to improve the quality of life in their service area. For more information about their programs, find them on social media, visit their website at https://wirpc.org/, call their Macomb office at 309-837-2997 or call their Galesburg office at 309-837-5115. WIRC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.