Illinois Receives $174 Million in LIHEAP Funding for Winter Aid
CHICAGO, IL – November 3, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Pat Quinn today urged eligible Illinois households to apply for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The state received $174.6 million in federal funds to assist low-income families for this winter season.
“Winters in Illinois can be more than just cold – they can be downright dangerous,” said Governor Quinn. “I urge families – especially those with young children, seniors and people with disabilities – to apply for LIHEAP aid so that they stay warm and safe this winter.”
LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low-income families, in which heating bill payments are made on behalf of households.
A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,354; a two-person household up to $1,821; and a family of four can earn up to $2,756. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.
LIHEAP energy grant applications are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies around the state. These agencies will accept applications on a first-come, first served basis from eligible households beginning today. LIHEAP is expected to make energy assistance payments on behalf of more than 300,000 households this winter with a combination of both federal and non-federal funding.
At the state-level LIHEAP is administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to LiheapIllinois.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1 877 411-WARM.
Governor Quinn was joined at Bethlehem Star Church by Illinois LIHEAP Manager Larry Dawson, CEDA President and CEO Robert Wharton, HOPE Organization Executive Director Roosevelt Watkins, representatives from Commonwealth Edison, and LIHEAP applicants.
