Rockford Human Services announces start of LIHEAP energy assistance program

Staff Report

The City of Rockford Human Services Department, along with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Energy Assistance, announces the beginning of the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) this fall.

LIHEAP is a state and federally-funded energy assistance program for eligible low-income families in which a benefit is paid directly to the utility companies on behalf of eligible households, or directly to renters if the utility costs are included in their rent.

Some LIHEAP clients will have the option of choosing between the traditional Direct Vendor Payment (DVP) plan or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). PIPP is available to eligible LIHEAP clients who are customers of ComEd and Nicor Gas only. Under PIPP, the eligible client will pay a percentage of their Income toward their bill each month. In turn, they will receive a benefit toward their utility bill, and also receive a reduction in any overdue payments for every on-time payment they make. PIPP can assist in ways that will help customers manage their utility bills and break the cycle of disconnections and reconnections. The traditional DVP plan is a one-time payment only.

Select area agencies will be scheduling appointments and taking applications for the program. A list of these sites, program sign-up dates and required documentation is available at the City of Rockford Human Services Department, 555 N. Court St., Suite 301 or at www.rockfordil.gov/human-services/community-neighborhood-programs.aspx. Clients must call to make an appointment and must bring all required documentation to their visit. No walk-ins will be accepted. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. For more information, contact (815) 987-5711.

From the Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2012, issue