Staff Report

ROCKFORD – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be open through June 30 for eligible residents of Winnebago and Boone counties.

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

A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income for up to $1,561, a two-person household up to $2,114, a three-person household up to $2,666, and a family of four up to $3,219.

Any household that has not yet applied for assistance is urged to apply as soon as possible.

Applicants who already applied for LIHEAP since Oct. 1, 2019 ,and now have high utility bills that they are unable to pay, may Reconnect Assistance from the program if they re-apply before June 30.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, application appointments are currently made by phone only.

Residents can call the Community Action Agency Office at 844-710-6919 to secure a phone appointment for making an application.

Documentation follow-up will be required and will be discussed at the phone interview. All benefits are based upon household income from all members in the household.

LIHEAP is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Energy Assistance. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered locally by the City of Rockford Human Services Department.