Fulton County Health Department is excited to unveil the commencement of a much-anticipated initiative, the Energy Assistance Program. This program, aimed at providing essential support to low-income households, is set to kick off on the auspicious date of October 2, 2023. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be made accessible to households meeting the prescribed income eligibility criteria, marking the county’s commitment to addressing the energy needs of its diverse community.
The LIHEAP program will be available in Fulton County, Illinois as follows: the energy assistance department will begin scheduling appointments for applicants on September 18th, 2023. Here’s all you need to know to get the appointment and correctly apply to receive this important financial support.
Starting from October 2, 2023, appointments for assistance will be conducted via phone calls for specific categories of households. This includes households with senior citizens, those with members on Social Security Disability, and families with children under six years old. It aims to streamline support for these vulnerable groups.
The different stages of heating LIHEAP allotments
On Wednesday, November 1st, a new phase begins, allowing households facing utility disconnection, holding disconnection notices, or having less than 25% propane in their tank to apply for emergency assistance. This quick response helps prevent critical service disruptions.
For all other income-eligible households, the application window opens on December 1, 2023. The application deadline has been extended to August 15, 2024, from the initial May 31, 2024. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis throughout this period.
Additionally, households that have already received a one-time benefit can return during this extended period for Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefits, providing ongoing support.
Applying for heating LIHEAP in Fulton, Illinois
To be eligible for assistance through the LIHEAP program in Fulton, households must meet specific income requirements. These benefits are available to households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The income limits are determined based on a combination of factors, including Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income, and the number of individuals residing in the household. Here are the income guidelines:
- 1 person household: $2,430 or below
- 2 person household: $3,287 or below
- 3 person household: $4,143 or below
- 4 person household: $5,000 or below
For households with five or more members, you can find detailed income limit information on the websites fultoncountyhealth.com or liheapillinois.com.
When submitting an application for LIHEAP assistance, provide all the necessary documentation, including:
- Proof of gross income for all household members for the 30-day period preceding the application.
- Documentation of Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all household members. Applicants without an SSN or ITIN can still apply, and the Fulton County Health Department will provide guidance as needed.
- Copies of the most recent heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
If utilities are included in your rental agreement, include a copy of the rental agreement showing that utilities are part of the rent, along with details of the monthly rental amount and contact information for your landlord.
Depending on your household’s unique circumstances, additional documents may be required. If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact Fulton County Health Department, which has three locations:
- Canton: 700 East Oak Street. Phone: 309-647-1134. Fax: 309-647-9545
- Astoria: 131 West Broadway, 61501. Phone: 309-329-2922. Fax: 309-329-2275
- Cuba: 114 S 4th Street, 61427. Phone: 309-785-5300. Fax: 309-785-5300.