Quincy Reporter

In a Sept. 9 Facebook post Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) informed her constituents about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program application process.

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the program aims to provide eligible low-income families with a one-time payment to cover various energy bills, such as heating, gas, propane, and electricity.

"The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides qualifying households with monetary relief for their energy bills," Tracy posted on Facebook.

Upon determining a household's eligibility, a local agency will submit the needed payment to Ameren, a U.S. energy company, on behalf of an individual, or to the individual directly.

According to Ameren's website, this incentive is provided depending on four criteria, including the household's income, household size, fuel type, and location.

If a household's combined income for the 30 days prior to application is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level it may be eligible to receive assistance.

A full list of income limits for the LIHEAP program is available on the DCEO website.

The deadline to submit an application for LIHEAP is between Sept. 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, or until all available funds are depleted.

The deadline to submit an online Request for Services form application is May 5, 2023.

Individuals who miss this deadline can still apply through a local administering agency until May 31, 2023.

Additional information can be found by contacting 1-877-411-WARM (9276) or visiting Ameren's website.

Prior to her 2016 election to the Senate, Tracy served from 2006 to 2014 as a state representative, according to the Illinois General Assembly.