Lake County Gazette

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program application period begins Oct. 2, 2023. This period is for specific groups – individuals 60 and older, disabled Illinois residents, and families with kids under 6 years of age; Other applications will open in the next few months, according to a Sept. 25 news release from Senator Craig Wilcox.

According to Senator Craig Wilcox, low-income families in Illinois can now apply for financial assistance to help with their natural gas, propane, and electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program aims to provide support to families and individuals who qualify for assistance with heating gas, electricity, and propane bills. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact their local LIHEAP Administering Agency for more information on how to apply.

The application period for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will run from Oct. 2, 2023, to Aug. 15, 2024. However, the application process will open in different waves throughout this time frame. The first wave, which begins on Oct. 2, is specifically for individuals who are 60 years and older, disabled Illinois residents, and families with children under the age of 6. The next wave of applications will be accepted on Nov. 1, 2023, for individuals who have had utilities disconnected, received a disconnection notice, or have 25% or less in their propane tank. All other applicants can start applying on Dec. 1, 2023.

After submitting an application for LIHEAP assistance, the applicant's local agency will review and confirm eligibility and determine the amount of financial assistance the applicant will receive. To determine which local agency to contact, individuals can visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website.

Last year, over 311,000 households in Illinois received an average of over $1,000 in support through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The amount of support families can receive varies based on their specific needs.

Senator Craig Wilcox, who provided the update on the LIHEAP application period, has been serving the 32nd District since October 2018. He has previous governmental experience as a member of the McHenry County Board and served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel. Wilcox graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1989. He currently resides in McHenry, Illinois, with his wife and three children.