Illinois LIHEAP Heating Help 2026–27: Income Limits and How to Apply

Illinois’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households pay for natural gas, propane and electricity [3]. The program is run by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through local agencies in each county [1][5]. For Program Year 2027, applications are open from October 1, 2026 to August 13, 2027, or until the money runs out [1][3].

What LIHEAP pays for

Depending on funding and where you live, local agencies offer these kinds of help [2][3]:

• One-time payment. All LIHEAP recipients get a one-time payment, usually sent straight to the energy company [2][3]. If your heat is included in your rent, the payment goes to you [2]. The 2027 state plan estimates benefits from $58 to $2,564 [4]. Last program year, the average was $676 across 360,500 households [3].
• Reconnection Assistance. For households that are disconnected, have a disconnection date within 7 days, or have a propane supplier refusing delivery with the tank at 25% or less [2]. It can total up to $2,000 per household for the year [4].
• Furnace Assistance. For homeowners who got a LIHEAP benefit but have no working furnace or safe heat. It can cover a tune-up, repair or replacement [2][4]. Renters aren’t eligible, because landlords must provide heat [4]. The 2027 plan runs it until May 28, 2027, or until the furnace money runs out [4].

Crisis help (Reconnection and Furnace Assistance) is provided within 48 hours of a complete application, or within 18 hours if it’s below 32°F [2].

Illinois doesn’t plan to run a separate summer cooling program this year [2][4].

Who qualifies

Illinois looks at your household’s gross income for the 30 days before you apply [1]. Which limit applies depends on your energy company.

If you’re a customer of a different energy vendor (one paid with federal funds), your income must be at or below 60% of the state median income [1]. DCEO’s page doesn’t post that table in dollars. Ask your local agency for the figure for your household size. The state can adjust the limits depending on federal funding [1].

If you rent and your heat is included in your rent, you may still qualify [1].

How to apply

1. Online: go to helpillinoisfamilies.com and submit a Request for Services form [1].
2. Wait for a call or email. Your local agency will contact you to confirm eligibility and work out your benefit. If you haven’t heard back in 3 weeks, contact the agency directly [1].
3. Or go straight to your local agency. DCEO lists the agency for each county [1][5].

If you’re already disconnected, or have a disconnect date, call your county agency directly [1]. For help with the form, call 1-833-711-0374. Help is available in 30 languages [3]. People who are homebound can ask for a phone application, a home visit or a mail-in application [2].

Once your application is complete, the agency will tell you within 30 days whether you’re approved. Payments go out within 45 days after approval [2]. You can check your status online with the seven-digit Application ID you receive [1].

What to have ready

For each household member [1]:

• Proof of income for the past 30 days, such as pay stubs or a benefit check.
• Your most recent heating and/or electric bill, issued within the last 30 days (if you pay for energy directly).
• A Social Security card or ITIN, if the person has one. You can still apply without one; your local agency will advise you.
• A rental agreement showing heat is included, the monthly rent and the landlord’s contact information (if your heat is in your rent).
• Proof of TANF, Medicaid or SNAP, if you receive them.

If your heat is about to be shut off

Apply right away and tell the agency you have a disconnection notice. Households facing disconnection are in the first priority group [1].

Illinois also has a winter weather rule from December 1 to March 31. The Illinois Commerce Commission’s most recent reminder (December 2025) describes it this way [6]:

• Residential customers are protected from disconnection when the temperature is forecast to be at or below 32°F, and on days before holidays and weekends when the forecast is freezing.
• LIHEAP and PIPP participants, electric space-heating customers, and military personnel and veterans can’t be disconnected if they fall behind on their bills.
• Other customers who used gas or electric heat the previous winter can’t be disconnected for non-payment unless the utility has offered a payment plan with a down payment of no more than 10%, given them aid-agency contacts, and the customer refused the plan.
• The rule doesn’t cover disconnections for theft, tampering or safety.

Where the money comes from

LIHEAP is funded by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [7]. On October 9, 2026, HHS released about $3.6 billion in LIHEAP funds for federal fiscal year 2027 under a temporary spending law. That was 90% of the money available under that law [7]. Illinois says it can adjust its income limits depending on federal funding [1]. The state’s Help Illinois Families program puts $240 million toward this year’s energy bill assistance [3].