Kane County heating bill help: how to apply for LIHEAP this winter

Kane County households in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia can apply now for help with heating bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, opened to all income-eligible households on Nov. 1. It sends a one-time payment toward heating and electric costs that does not have to be paid back, and the local agency is Community Contacts, Inc. in Elgin.

When you can apply

The 2026-2027 LIHEAP season runs from Oct. 1, 2026, to Aug. 13, 2027, or until the money runs out, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Some households could start Oct. 1:

• Adults 60 and older
• People with a disability
• Households with a child age 5 or younger
• Households that are disconnected, have a disconnect date within 7 days, or have less than 25% left in a propane tank

Everyone else who is income eligible has been able to apply since Nov. 1, 2026. Because funding is limited, applying early in the season is the safer move.

Who qualifies

Eligibility is based on your household's gross income for the 30 days before you apply. For customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas, DCEO lists these 30-day limits:

• 1 person: $3,990
• 2 people: $5,410
• 3 people: $6,830
• 4 people: $8,250
• 5 people: $9,670
• 6 people: $11,090

If your heat or electric comes from a different provider, DCEO says a lower limit applies (60% of state median income). Community Contacts can tell you which chart fits your household.

Renters whose heat is included in the rent may still be eligible.

How to apply

DCEO directs applicants to helpillinoisfamilies.com to fill out a Request for Services form during their application month. After you submit it, your local agency should reach out by email or phone to confirm eligibility and your benefit amount. If you have not heard back in 3 weeks, DCEO says to contact the agency directly.

Need help with the form? The Help Illinois Families call center is 1-833-711-0374.

You can also go straight to Community Contacts, Inc., 100 S. Hawthorne St., Elgin, at 847-697-4400. As of Nov. 9, the agency's LIHEAP page said its own online application was closed and that Kane County applications were being taken by appointment only, booked by phone or at liheap.as.me. If you already have a disconnect notice or your heat has been shut off, DCEO says to call your county agency directly instead of waiting on the online form.

What to have ready

DCEO lists these documents for each household member:

• Proof of income for the past 30 days, like paystubs or a benefit letter for Social Security, VA or DHS benefits
• Your most recent heating and electric bills, issued within the last 30 days
• Social Security card or ITIN, if you have one (residents without either can still apply)
• Your lease, if renting, showing heat is included, the monthly rent and landlord contact info
• Proof of TANF, SNAP or medical benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services, if you receive them

More ways to save

Income-eligible LIHEAP customers of ComEd and Nicor Gas also get a monthly discount on their bill through the state's Low Income Discount program. DCEO says households that do not qualify for LIHEAP may still qualify for those discounts, so it is worth calling your utility to ask.