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Home Heating Assistance

UNDATED (WREX) - Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for money to help them pay their winter heating bills.

The state of Illinois is taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"I encourage people to apply for assistance through LIHEAP so that they can stay safe, warm and healthy this winter," said Governor Quinn.

In the Spring, Governor Quinn signed a bill that increases the program's eligibility level to households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,354; a two-person household up to $1,821; and a family of four can earn up to $2,756.

The money from the state goes straight to the utilities on behalf of the customer.

LIHEAP is now run by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity instead of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

For more information on the program and a list of local agencies connected to the program, call 877-­411-WARM (9276) or log onto the link to the left of this story.

For a complete listing of LIHEAP's local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to LiheapIllinois.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1­877­411-WARM.

In Winnebago County you can contact Lifescape Community Services at 815-963-1609, NIAAA at 815-226-4901 or Asamblea Apostolica at 815-316-7842.

Bonne County senior households may contact the Keenage Center at 815-544-9893.

Disabled households residing in Winnebago County may contact Rep. Chuck Jefferson's office at 815-987-7433, The Human Services Department's Energy Division at 815-987-5711 or Asamblea Apostolica at 815-316-7842.

Boone County disabled households may contact the Workforce Connection at 815-547-9616.