programs & services
Utility Assistance in Will County, Illinois
Get HELP with your energy costs from Will County Center for Community Concerns. Through LIHEAP we are able to assist income-eligible households to pay for utilities, like heat, gas, electricity, and furnace repair assistance.
LIHEAP Opens for the 2026-2027 Program Year on Oct 1, 2026
Applications are being taken on a first come first serve basis through August 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted.
For the month of October, you or someone in the household must fall into at least one of the following categories: Senior 60+, a child 5yrs or younger, someone receiving or has been approved for Federal Social Security Disability benefits, Civil Service Disability or Federal Supplemental Security Income benefits based on blindness or disability, Veterans Administration Disability benefits, Railroad Retirement Disability benefits, or any State Pension or payment based on blindness or disability., have imminent disconnect or disconnected, and/or homeowners with inoperable furnace.
Starting November, the program is open to all income eligible households.
Am I Eligible?
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 30-day 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 such as but not limited to all propane gas companies, and City of Naperville must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income to receive a benefit from LIHEAP. The 30-day income guidelines are as follows: 1- $3,441, 2- $4,500, 3- $5,558, 4- $6,617.
This program helps all income eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bill, and furnace for inoperable and/or red tagged existing heating systems for homeowners.
What Do I Need?
Applicants will need to bring documentation to their appointment to apply for the energy assistance program.
The following documentation is required to apply for assistance:
- Gas and Electric bill
- Social Security Card for everyone in the household
- ID or Driver’s License
- Income for all household members for the last 30 days from all sources
- If there is no income, any Household member age 18 or older will need proof that they are or are not receiving benefits from DHS (Public Aid) and IDES (Unemployment)
- Print out from other agencies:
– Food stamps
– TANF – cash assistance
– General assistance
– Social Security
– Veterans Assistance
– Medical cards
– Other public aid - Mortgage statement or Deed and tax bill, if applying for furnace assistance
Where Can I Apply?
Applications are taken in person at our main office and at our outreach locations. Check out outreach calendar and locations below.
Utility Services May Include
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible households pay for winter energy services, including gas, electric and furnace repair assistance.
Direct Vendor payment
The LIHEAP program will provide a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills.
- The amount of the payment is determined by income and household size.
- An overdue bill or shut-off notice is not required.
- You do not have to own your home or pay energy bills directly to be eligible for assistance.
- Your source of fuel does not have to be natural gas or electricity in order to receive assistance.
Direct Vendor assistance may be either
- A one-time payment made directly to your gas and/or electric supplier, OR
- A one-time payment to you when gas and/or electric is included in your rent.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
Only recertifications are being accepted, no new applications are being accepted at this time.
As an alternate option to the one-time direct vendor payment, the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is available for LIHEAP eligible households who are customers of one of the following utilities: ComEd, 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.
Emergency Furnace Repair or Replacement
The LIHEAP program also includes an Emergency Furnace component that will repair or replace non-operational heating systems for income-eligible homeowner-occupied residents. Homeowner must be able to provide mortgage statement or property deed, tax bill, and be a Will County resident.
Other Utility Service(s)
Will County Center for Community Concerns partners with Nicor Gas for the Nicor Aide Program, when funds are available.
Where Can I Apply?
Please call Will County Center for Community Concerns at (815) 722-0722 for outreach locations, schedules, and questions on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.