Funds Available to Help with Winter Utility Bills

Submitted by the Will County Center for Community Concerns

The Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC), as administrator of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has announced that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their winter utility bills.

The program will begin as follows:

October 1, LIHEAP will be accepting applications for households that contain a family member who is a senior (age 60 or older) or currently receiving social security disability benefits.

November 2, LIHEAP will be accepting applications for households whose service has been disconnected for non-payment. Households with a child under the age of six may also apply.

December 1, the program will available to all income-eligible Will County households. Applications will be taken through May 31, 2016 or until funding has been exhausted, whichever comes first.

LIHEAP Emergency Furnace Assistance will be available to low-income households whose existing heating systems are not operational or have been red-tagged by their utility company; you are eligible to apply during your priority period listed above.

Households must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHEAP Program. WCCCC has made changes to its intake process. Applicants are required to bring ALL documents necessary to start the application process. Again, no applications can be approved if any documentation is missing.

Applications will be taken at Will County Center for Community Concerns located at 2455 Glenwood Ave. Joliet IL 60435, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or until the daily sign-in sheet is full (whichever comes first). Applications will also be taken at various locations throughout the Will County area. Please call the Will County Center for Community Concerns at (815)722-0722 ext 3 or visit our website at www.wcccc.net for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply.

To submit an application you MUST bring ALL documentation required:

1. Social Security Cards for everyone in the household

2. Proof of all household income for the previous 30 days, including the day of application (ex. Pay stubs, SSA, SSI, child support, and Unemployment)

3. Printouts from other agencies (ex. Food stamps, medical card, TANF, and General Assistance)

4. Gas/Electric Bills

5. Anyone 18 years or older with no income will need to provide an unemployment and DHS printouts.

6. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this please call our office.