Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
APRIL 23, 2024 UPDATE: Since we are nearing the end of our available funding for the 2023-24 LIHEAP program year, we will only be seeing households that are facing disconnects from gas and electric until funds are exhausted. We will not be offering any further scheduled appointments. Instead, starting Thursday, April 25, appointments for households facing disconnections are available on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis (until funding is exhausted) at the RPC’s office inside the Brookens Administrative Center (1776 E. Washington Street, Urbana), at 2009 Round Barn Road in Champaign, and at the Rantoul Business Center (601 S. Century Boulevard, Suite 1314).
The 2024-25 LIHEAP program year is anticipated to start on October 1, at which time utility assistance for qualifying Champaign County households will once again be available. If you need assistance with your power bills between now and the start of the new program year, we recommend you call 211 for additional resources that may be available. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to regularly visit this page for LIHEAP updates.
When attending your appointment, please bring the following with you.
- Social Security card for all household members
- Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members age 18 or older
- Current disconnect notice or imminent disconnect notice for gas/electric
Appointment Availability
Starting Thursday, April 25, at 8am, households facing disconnections are available on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis (until funding is exhausted) at the RPC’s office inside the Brookens Administrative Center (1776 E. Washington Street, Urbana), at 2009 Round Barn Road in Champaign, and at the Rantoul Business Center (601 S. Century Boulevard, Suite 1314).
Program Overview
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal- and state-funded utility assistance program in Champaign County. LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their energy costs and helps educate them to conserve energy, lower their costs, and work toward financial self-sufficiency. During the most recent program year, LIHEAP provided assistance to 7,232 households, serving over 11,039 individuals, and distributing more than $3,188,912 in utility benefits. The program also helped 1,300+ families reconnect or maintain utilities through crisis assistance and completed over 100 home visits to provide services to homebound elderly and people with disabilities. Over the last two years, LIHEAP staff have assisted an average of 85 households with utility assistance for Ameren customers through the Ameren Cares program.
Over the past year, we have increased efforts to provide case management training to LIHEAP staff and partners. These efforts have resulted in greater program capacity and improved service for low-income households seeking assistance.
MORE INFORMATION
To receive more information or if you have trouble making an appointment, please call (217) 384-1226.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
LIHEAP eligibility is determined by family size and household income in accordance with federal guidelines. All appointments require proof of income for the past 30 days, social security cards for all household members, a recent gas/electric bill (and a disconnect notice if within seven days of disconnection), or a rental agreement if utilities are included in rent.
APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATION
Phone: (217) 384-1226
Hours of operation: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Upcoming LIHEAP Outreach Mobile events
STAFF CONTACTS
Dawn Rear
Community Services Program Manager
drear@ccrpc.org
(217) 819-4079