LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible low income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used toward their electric and gas bills. The amount of payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location.  The Ela Township Administration department can assist Township residents who qualify for the program with the application process.

LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state of Illinois. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCEO). Energy Assistance is provided by local community action agencies or not-for-profit agencies throughout the state. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Illinois and you must need financial assistance with home energy costs. A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirement.

When you come to your appointment, please bring the head of household drivers license and social security card; social security cards for everyone residing in the household; proof of 30 days of income for everyone in the home over the age of 18 (Social Security, Unemployment, and Child Support are considered income); if you are a zero income household please bring your SNAP notice of decision letter from DHS; and most recent ComEd and Nicor bills.  Please note, CAPLC will process applications as fast as possible, but it does take 6 - 8 weeks for processing and an additional 90 days to see the credit on your bill.  If you have any questions, please contact the Administration department at (847)438-7823.

The 2026 LIHEAP Program Year will begin on October 1, 2025.

Priority Period
Beginning October 1, 2025, there will be one Priority Month for the following groups:

• Households with at least one member age 60 or older
• Households with at least one member receiving long-term disability benefits
• Households with at least one child under age 5
• Households that are disconnected or under imminent threat of disconnection from a heat-related energy source

General Applications

• Starting November 1, 2025, all income-eligible households may apply.
• LIHEAP eligibility is determined by gross household income, consistent with long-standing Illinois policy.

Ela Township will register qualified households by appointment only beginning on September 22, 2025.  Please call (847)438-7823 for scheduling.