DuPage County Community Services will be accepting applications for the annual Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Oct. 1 until May 31, 2020, or until funds are depleted. As cold temperatures are just around the corner, eligible families are encouraged to apply.

Beginning Oct. 1, DuPage County Department of Community Services will accept winter heating applications, by appointment, from seniors (60+) or people with disabilities. Beginning Nov. 1, applications will be taken for seniors, disabled, disconnected and households with children 5 or under. All other eligible households may begin applying on Dec. 2. Benefits are paid directly to the utilities on behalf of eligible households.

If your household’s combined gross income for the 30 days beginning with the date of the application is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, you may be eligible to receive assistance. A single-person household can qualify for the program with a monthly gross income of up to $1,561; a two-person household up to $2,114; and a family of four can earn up to $3,219.

The PIPP Program (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) will also be offered this program year to ComEd and Nicor Gas customers. Under PIPP, eligible households pay a percentage of their income, may receive a monthly benefit to their utility bill, and arrearage reduction for every on-time payment they make, if applicable. Starting Oct. 1, PIPP applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Application for PIPP are taken Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, or until funding is exhausted. 

Customers must bring the following required documentation when applying for assistance:

• Social Security Cards for all household members;
• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period beginning with the date of application;
• Current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for the energy directly); and
• If you rent, your lease 

For more information, including where you can apply, DuPage County residents may call (630) 407-6500, (800) 942-9412 (toll-free) or visit www.dupageco.org.

Applications are taken based on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is exhausted. 

For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program go to http://liheapillinois.com or call the toll-free hotline at (877) 411-WARM.