SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is announcing the availability of millions in state funds which will go toward helping residents afford their energy bills.
In a release issued Wednesday, Governor Pritzker’s office says in coordination with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, there is $300M dollars in state funding available for this purpose.
Much of the funding is administered through the federal LIHEAP program, which provides one-time payments directly to energy service providers on behalf of recipients.
Starting September 1st, Illinois residents are encouraged to go to the website helpillinoisfamilies.com to apply for this assistance.
Officials say eligible families are those which earn up to two times the federal poverty level. All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted.
Pritzker’s office says last year’s LIHEAP recipients received an average of $1,330 per household.
Eligibility will be determined using metrics that include the number of members of a household and that household’s 30 day rate of income.
