Local News

Heating Bill Assistance Still Available

Sat, 06 Mar 2021 08:29:52 CST
The winter chill may be gone for now, but the bills from winter and in particular the recent cold snap can still put residents with limited income in a deep freeze financially. The C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) still has energy assistance funding available for winter utility assistance. Any household that has applied as of last July 27, 2020 or after would not be eligible to apply again unless they are being disconnected from their utility service. LIHEAP provides one-time grants to help income eligible households pay for their winter utility expenses. To date in Montgomery county energy benefits totaling $334,658.00 have been approved for nearly 600 households. The average payment per household was $562. Additionally, in Montgomery county 88 households received $58,692.00 in emergency reconnection assistance. The average reconnection assistance payment was $667. Items needed at the time of application are the household’s proof of all income for the previous 30 days including the day of application, proof of Social Security numbers for all members of the household and current heating and electric bills.
Thirty-day income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP for the 2021 program by size of household are as follows:
1 - $2,127
2 - $2,873
3 - $3,620
4 - $4,367
5 - $5,113
For each additional member add $747
Due to COVID-19 restrictions intake is conducted by phone, internet and very limited in-person contact. The application process can be started with our on-line LIHEAP pre-application at www.cefseoc.org/LIHEAP-application. Phone appointments for LIHEAP can be made by contacting the C.E.F.S. Montgomery County Outreach office at 8353 IL Rte. 127 Taylor Springs, phone 217-532-5971, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Funding for LIHEAP is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is the local administering agency for Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, and Shelby counties.