Welcome to the Office of Energy Assistance!
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) are programs designed to help low income residents manage their home energy costs. LIHEAP provides supplemental income to eligible low income families to assist them in meeting their utility bills, especially during the winter months. IHWAP provides home weatherization assistance that will translate into lower energy consumption, making low income families’ energy bills more affordable.
You can apply for these programs through your Local Community Action Agency (CAA) which receives funding from DCEO’s Office of Energy Assistance (OEA). OEA also provides administrative oversight to both programs.
Program Eligibility
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• LIHEAP
You may be eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance if your household’s combined income for the 30 days prior to the application is less than or equal to 150% of the federal poverty level as determined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). To access the most current income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP, please Click here.
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• Weatherization
You may also be eligible to receive IHWAP assistance if your combined income for the 30 days prior to the application is less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level as determined by HHS. To access the most current income eligibility guidelines for IHWAP, please click here.
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• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Additional federal funding is now available to assist eligible low income clients to reduce their overall energy consumption as a result of home weatherization. Depending upon the work to be completed, an individual home can receive up to $7,500 in home weatherization assistance. |
Your Rights
Both LIHEAP and IHWAP eligibility is based upon a client’s income. If you apply for assistance and disagree with the local Community Action Agency’s determination of your income, please click here.
OEA Governance Information and Supplemental Programs
To view information on other OEA programs, current LIHEAP and IHWAP State Plans, and administrative governance, please click here.
For additional assistance, please feel free to call the Energy Assistance Hotline at (877) 411-9276