How residents can get help with energy bills as temperatures plunge

With dangerously cold temperatures gripping Chicagoland, many households are turning up the heat — and that means higher utility bills. But there are programs available to help offset those costs.

Federal grant money is distributed to states and then allocated locally to assist qualifying households. In Illinois, the program is called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and in Indiana, it’s known as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

Both programs provide grants — not loans — to help pay heating and electric bills for households that meet income requirements. That means recipients do not have to repay the funds.

Where you apply for assistance depends on where you live. Illinois residents can find local application information through HelpIllinoisFamilies.com.

Indiana residents can apply online through the Indiana Energy Assistance Client Portal. In Indiana, you can also dial 211 for assistance.  

Your energy provider may also offer its own assistance programs. ComEd, Peoples Gas, and NIPSCO all have customer support programs in addition to federal grants.

Residents are urged to contact their utility company to learn more about available resources.

The U.S. Department of Energy also offers the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low-income households reduce energy costs by increasing their energy efficiency. According to the program, participants save, on average, $372 or more every year. See if you qualify by contacting your state’s weatherization administrator.