Whiteside County Board Chair James Duffy wants to make sure County residents are aware of two current programs, aimed to help those who need assistance with their utility and energy bill payments. The County has teamed up with the Tri-Counties Opportunities Council, to get information about the Assistance Programs out to those who can benefit from them.
Duffy said, “We would like to let residents know that Illinois’ Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) and the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now open. [They are] accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis [as of Wednesday,] September 1, 2021.”
The PIPP application period runs through March 31, 2022, and the LIHEAP application period runs through May 31, 2022, while funds are available. Customers from income-eligible households can choose to participate in either program.
“Eligible customers who enroll in PIPP benefit from stabilized monthly bill amounts. They receive a monthly benefit towards their utility bill. Also, reductions on past-due amounts are given, for each on-time payment made.”
“Customers who apply for, and receive, LIHEAP are eligible for a grant, based on income and household size, applied to their electric bill.”
Those living in Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, or Whiteside County and who have home energy costs of electric, natural gas, propane, or fuel oil, may qualify for assistance. Residents may be eligible if they meet the maximum monthly (30-day) income as listed below:
Household of 1: $2147
Household of 2: $2903
Household of 3: $3660
Household of 4: $4417
Household of 5: $5173
Household of 6: $5930
Household of 7: $6590
Household of 8: $6737.
Duffy encourages residents to contact the Tri-County Opportunities Council at 800-235-5434. See if they are eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP.) Get started on their applications today. Remember, this is a first-come, first served while funds are available.
Jill Calkins, President and CEO of the Tri-County Opportunities Council said, “During the pandemic we have so-far been able to provide assistance to over 9000 residents in our service area, with their utility bill payments….We are looking forward to helping as many as we can, with the currently open Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) and the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP.) Call us at 800-323-5434 or visit our website at www.tcochelps.org to see if you’re eligible and start your application.”