What is LIHEAP?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP, pronounced like lie-heap) is a nationwide, federal grant program that helps income-eligible households with paying their winter home heating bills, and it is open to renters and homeowners.
Since it is a grant program, that means you will not have to pay back any help that you receive from the program (if you are eligible).
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) manages LIHEAP in five western Illinois counties: Hancock; Henderson; Knox; McDonough; and Warren.
LIHEAP is a nationwide program, so those who live outside WIRC’s service area can visit the website https://liheapillinois.com/ and click on the ‘Where to Apply’ button to find a LIHEAP provider in their county.
Funding is provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Applications for this program season will be taken until August 15, 2025, or stop when funding runs out; whichever comes first.
Read our latest press release to learn more.
Or visit our wiki article.
Can I apply?
Households considered to be more vulnerable will have an earlier chance at getting an appointment.
The following priority groups will be able to apply starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024:
- Older adults (ages 60 and older);
- Individuals with a disability;
- Families with children under the age of six; and Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25% of fuel remaining in their propane tank.
All other households that do not fit into one or more of the categories previously listed can apply starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024.
To be considered for LIHEAP, a household’s total combined income (gross, not take-home) also must be at or below 200% of the current federal poverty level guidelines. You can check the chart shown below to see if your household’s income is within the guidelines.
| Number of People in the Household | Maximum 30-day Income (Gross) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,510 |
| 2 people | $3,407 |
| 3 people | $4,303 |
| 4 people | $5,200 |
Households with five or more members are welcome to contact WIRC to check if they are within the income guidelines or visit the website https://liheapillinois.com/ to view an income limits chart.
How can I apply?
Residents of Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren counties should contact WIRC’s main office in Macomb at 309-837-2997 to schedule their LIHEAP appointment.
People who live in Knox County should call WIRC’s Galesburg office at 309-837-5115 to schedule a LIHEAP appointment.
Both offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on holidays).
If you do not have a phone, have trouble hearing over the phone, or cannot call for whatever reason, please start chatting with us here on the website. You can also walk-in to one of our offices to schedule an appointment. We are not able to take same-day appointments.
- WIRC Macomb Office: 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois.
- WIRC Galesburg Office: 313 E Main Street, Galesburg, Illinois.
What documentation will I need to provide?
Households will be required to verify their income, and other items relevant to their application, by providing certain documentation.
Some of the things you may need to provide include the following examples:
- (1) Proof of gross income from all household members for the past 30-day period, beginning with the date of application.
- (2) Proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all household members;
- (3) A copy of the current heat and electric bills issued within the past 30 days;
- (4) A copy of a rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are or are not included, the monthly rental amount, and the landlord’s contact information.