Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Information is now available for the annual Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for eligible residents in Winnebago and Boone Counties.

LIHEAP pays a benefit directly to energy companies on behalf of eligible households or directly to eligible renters if all energy costs are included in their rent.

There are many area sites that will be scheduling appointments during the LIHEAP season. Appointments are made by phone only.  Handouts with site lists, program information, eligibility criteria and call-in schedules and sites are available at the City of Rockford Human Services Department, 612 N. Church St. in Rockford, and at the Belvidere City Hall, 401 Whitney Blvd. and Boone County United Way, 220 W. Locust St. in Belvidere. Applicants mus have this information before making an appointment.

Information is available at rockfordil.gov.

Beginning Friday, Sept. 27, residents can begin calling the Community Action Agency Office on Fridays for appointments the following week. Other sites serving their category of residents may be contacted on the following dates to make an appointment: Oct. 1 for households with a senior (60 and older) and households with a member receiving Social Security Disability, Nov. 1 for disconnected households and households with children under 6 years old, and Dec. 2  for all other low-income households. 

Residents who were not able to receive an appointment during their category month can continue to call monthly on the dates listed on the site list, or visit agency representatives at one of numerous off site dates and location where walk-ins are welcome until funds are exhausted.

Disconnected households with a senior (60 and older) and disconnected households with a member receiving Social Security Disability can walk in without an appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9. a.m. – 2 p.m., at 612 N Church St. to complete their application for emergency assistance.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is available to all eligible households who are customers of Comed and Nicor Gas.   Under PIPP, eligible households pay a percentage of their income; receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill and, arrearage reductions for every on-time payment they make, if applicable.   Starting Oct. 1, PIPP applications will be taken at the LIHEAP appointment on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding per count, per utility, and priority enrollment group is met. 

No PIPP applications will be taken after Dec. 31, 2019.