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Community Action Partnership of
Central Illinois announces the start of the Energy Assistance
Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) is available for income qualified households
beginning October 1, 2026
[September 03, 2026]
Lincoln— The Commnity Action
Partnership of Central Illinois, as administrator of the Energy
Assistance Program in DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard and Piatt
counties, is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist
income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or
electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating
systems.
The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2026 for
older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families
with children age 5 years and under, and households that are
disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or
have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible
households can start applying November 1, 2026.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis
through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households
that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year
for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if
needed.
The program has expanded eligibility this year. Households that are
customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and
Peoples Gas must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty
Guidelines to receive a benefit from LIHEAP. The income guidelines
are as follows:1- $3,990, 2- $5,410, 3- $6,830, 4- $8,250.
Households that are customers of federal funded utilities/energy
vendors must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income to
receive a benefit from LIHEAP.
The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on either Federal
Poverty Guidelines or State Median Income, and the number of persons
living in the household. Go to www.capcil.info or liheapillinois.com
to know income limits for households with 5 members and more.
The Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income
eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for
reconnection of energy service. Propane customers who are part of
the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in
October. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months
so by applying early propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit
go further.
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Applications will be taken
via phone interview or in person through our Logan, Mason, and
Piatt County Community Action offices or may be submitted
online. These instructions can be found on our agency website,
www.capcil.info, under the Energy Services Department tab.
To submit an application, you MUST submit ALL documentation
required:
1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the
prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
2. For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household
members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers
(SSN) for all household members. Individuals without a SSN or
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can still
apply, and Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois will
advise accordingly.
3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the
last 30 days.
4. Cash assistance is available for renters who can provide a
copy of their lease/rental agreement showing their heating costs
are included in the rent.
5. Other documents may be needed based on your household
situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our
office.
Income eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd,
Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas will receive a
monthly discount on their natural and/or electric bill through
the Low Income Discount Rates. Visit powerbilldiscount.com to
know more details.
Please call Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois at
217-732-2159 for outreach locations and schedules, and for
information on what documents are needed to apply and different
ways to submit your application.
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