Energy Assistance

MCS COMMUNITY SERVICES
MORGAN, CASS AND SCOTT COUNTY RESIDENTS

WHAT IS LIHEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is designed to assist eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP provides a one-time benefit, paid directly to the utility(ies), to supplement the cost of heating their home. The amount of assistance is determined by the level of income, household size, fuel type and geographic location.

MCS Community Services, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program in Morgan, Cass, and Scott counties, is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.

The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2024 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families with children age five years and under, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% fuel in their propane tank.  All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2024.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.  Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed and if funding is available.

Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.  The 30-day income guidelines for the 2025 LIHEAP Program are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household.  The income guidelines are as follows:

Larger households should call the office for current guidelines or go to liheapillinois.com to know income limits for households with 9 members or more.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service.  Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October.  Propane prices typically increase during the winter months, so by applying early propane customers should see their LIHEAP benefit go further.

Applications will be taken in-person at locations in Jacksonville, Beardstown, and Winchester, by appointment only.  Applications can also be taken over-the-phone, by appointment only, for home-bound applicants, with documentation to be sent into MCS Community Services by using the office drop box, emailing, faxing, or regular mail delivery.  Details will be given out during the initial phone call.

To submit an application, you MUST submit ALL documentation required:

1. For all customers to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required for all household members. No longer acceptable are income tax forms, W-2 forms, or the metal commemorative cards as proof of the number.  DHS is no longer able to print out proof of social security numbers.  Individuals without a SSN or ITIN will be advised accordingly.
2. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
3. A copy of current gas, electric, and/or propane bills issued within the last 30 days.
4. All household members over the age of 18 claiming zero income are required to provide proof of how they are surviving, such as: proof of job search, denial or appeal disability claim, denial of unemployment, written proof of help from family, application for or receipt of DHS services (SNAP, TANF, AABD, medical card, etc.), proof of enrollment in school, etc.
5. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact.
6. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office.

Additionally, a homeowner whose existing heating system is not operational or has been red-tagged as hazardous may apply for Furnace Assistance during their priority group period.  Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding permits.

Beginning October 1, 2024 income eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois will receive a monthly discount on their natural gas bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates.  Visit liheapillinois.com to know more details.

Please call MCS Community Services at 217-243-9404 or 1-888-288-4413., beginning October 1, 2024, for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.  MCS Community Services reserves the right to deny applications due to program ineligibility, lack of documentation, or lack of funding availability.

The LIHEAP program is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – Office of Community Assistance.

For more information, please call us at 217-243-9404 or toll-free 1-888-288-4413.