If you are an Illinois resident struggling with paying your light bills, there is hope. There are several Illinois electric bill assistance programs available to help you pay your utility bills.
One source of help is the federal-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program is available for Louisianans who area at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for their family’s size. If you qualify, the program will make a payment to your utility company on your behalf. This program can also fix or replace your furnace if you need that help.
Additionally, you may qualify for weatherization assistance if you own your home. This can be helpful if your windows are drafty and your insulation is too thin to prevent heat loss. To apply for either LIHEAP or weatherization assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency.
Another program available to you is the Good Samaritan Initiative. If your electricity has been cut off, this program can pay 20% or $250 towards your past due utilities to turn the lights back on. Talk to your utility company about it. There are likely other help available to you through your utility company, so don’t be afraid to ask. These programs are partially based on donations but may also receive some financial support from your electric company.
If you’re struggling with high energy bills, you may benefit from energy efficiency information through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This government agency can help you first determine if you qualify for electric bill assistance in the form of energy credits. If you do qualify, then you will be matched with the local agency that accepts applications for LIHEAP and other energy assistance so that you can be added to the list of recipients. With this help, you could reduce your monthly utility bills by more than 30% depending on your income.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
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