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Utility Bills Weighing You Down? We’ve Got Your Back.
We understand how important your utilities are in creating a safe and comfortable home for you and your family. That’s why we work hard to provide the help you need to offset the rising utility cost. With CEDA’s Utility Assistance Programs, you can take comfort knowing there’s help with your gas, electric, and water bills, as well as repairing or replacing your heating system.
See your bill assistance options below.
Organizations that help with heating assistance:
LIHEAP
CEDA’s LIHEAP programs offer heating and electricity assistance through the DVP and PIPP Programs to income eligible households. DVP issues a one-time benefit applied directly to your utility accounts. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane), and/or electric bills. Cash payments are also available to eligible households who do not have heating and electric bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. PIPP enrolls you in a budget bill program that provides a monthly benefit toward your bill and offers the opportunity for past due balance forgiveness.
Beginning December 1st, all income eligible Cook County households may apply for LIHEAP!
Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through August 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
Apply with a Partner Intake Site or click the link below to apply online for LIHEAP-DVP.
If you are in danger of utility disconnection or are currently disconnected, make an appointment with a Partner Intake Site to ensure your application is expedited. Select Find a Location to find a Partner Intake Site or contact the Call Center at (800) 571- 2332.
All programs are FREE. There is no fee to apply for assistance.
Utility assistance programs are funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and/or utility vendors.
Save Time, Apply OnlineWatch this video before applyingCall us at
800-571-2332
Share the Warmth
The Peoples Gas Share the Warmth program provides up to $200 towards the past due balance of your Peoples Gas bill.
Call us at
800-571-2332
Organizations that help with electricity assistance:
LIHEAP
CEDA’s LIHEAP programs offer heating and electricity assistance through the DVP and PIPP Programs to income eligible households. DVP issues a one-time benefit applied directly to your utility accounts. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane), and/or electric bills. Cash payments are also available to eligible households who do not have heating and electric bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. PIPP enrolls you in a budget bill program that provides a monthly benefit toward your bill and offers the opportunity for past due balance forgiveness.
Beginning December 1st, all income eligible Cook County households may apply for LIHEAP!
Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through August 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
Apply with a Partner Intake Site or click the link below to apply online for LIHEAP-DVP.
If you are in danger of utility disconnection or are currently disconnected, make an appointment with a Partner Intake Site to ensure your application is expedited. Select Find a Location to find a Partner Intake Site or contact the Call Center at (800) 571- 2332.
All programs are FREE. There is no fee to apply for assistance.
Utility assistance programs are funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and/or utility vendors.
Save Time, Apply OnlineWatch this video before applyingCall us at
800-571-2332
Organizations that help with water and sewer assistance:
UBR
For City of Chicago residents, the Utility Billing Relief program offers a 50% reduction of the water rate, sewer rate, and water-sewer tax on your City of Chicago utility bill. The UBR program also offers the opportunity for complete debt forgiveness on your City of Chicago utility account. We encourage all income eligible households to apply whether you are current or behind on your water bill payments.
Call us at
800-571-2332
Organizations that help with furnace assistance:
LIHEAP Furnace Assistance
CEDA’s LIHEAP Furnace Assistance program offers vouchers to qualified homeowners to repair or replace broken heating systems, such as furnaces and boilers. If you reside in a single-family home, a building of up to 4 units, or a condo, you may be eligible for assistance.
Furnace applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through May 31, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
If your home is without adequate heat and you need Furnace assistance, make an appointment with a Partner Intake Site to ensure your application is expedited. Select Find a Location to find a Partner Intake Site or contact the Call Center at (800) 571- 2332.
All programs are FREE. There is no fee to apply for assistance.
Utility assistance programs are funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and/or utility vendors.
Call us at
800-571-2332
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Most CEDA utility assistance programs determine income eligibility based on the gross income of the household in the last 30 days. The table below can be used to estimate your household’s potential income eligibility:
| Household Size | 30-Day Gross Income |
| 1 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $3,287 |
| 3 | $4,143 |
| 4 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $5,857 |
| 6 | $6,713 |
| 7 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $7,775 |
- Proof of gross income from all household members aged 18 and older for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application. The includes wages, SSA/SSI, pensions, unemployment, TANF, AABD, cash, etc. and income for children who receive Child Support or Social Security benefits.
- Proof of Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members. Individuals without an SSN or ITIN can still apply.
- A copy of the household’s most recent heating and electric bills.
- Cash assistance is available for those who can provide a copy of their lease/rental agreement showing that all utilities are included in the rent and proof that the rent is more than 30% of the household income.
- Other documents may be needed based on your household situation.
Click the “Save Time, Apply Online” button to begin step one of the online application for the LIHEAP-DVP program. LIHEAP-DVP is the only program with an online application at this time. Please answer all questions accurately and completely. You will need to provide social security numbers and income information for your entire household over the past 30 days, so please have that information and documentation at hand.
When you have entered all of your household information to complete step one of the process, you will receive an email and a letter from CEDA with your application ID and instructions on how to upload the documentation required to complete step two of your application. Once everything has been uploaded, CEDA will verify your application within 30 days and communicate your application’s status via mail. You can also check your status online by visiting the LIHEAP Customer Inquiry Portal: www.CEDAorg.net/LIHEAPStatus.
Yes. All assistance programs can accommodate an undocumented resident in your household. Please reach out to a CEDA Partner Intake Site or our Phone Intake Hotline at (800) 571-2332 to begin an application.
- Yes. We encourage all income eligible households to apply whether they are current or behind on their utility bills.
- Yes. Individuals without income are eligible to apply.
Yes. We offer Intake over the phone for applicants who are homebound. Applicants who are unable to complete the application themselves may authorize a proxy to complete the application on their behalf. Any adult in the household can complete the application without any additional paperwork. A non-household member may complete an application if they provide a signed, dated, letter from the head of household authorizing them to complete the application on the household’s behalf.
Yes. Renters may apply for the LIHEAP program. We assist renters who directly pay their utility company for services and renters who can prove their utilities are included in their rent. Renters who can provide documentation proving that their utilities are included in the rent and the monthly rent is more than 30% of the household income, may be eligible for a cash benefit to offset utility costs.
When you have entered all of your household information to complete step one of the process, you will receive an email and a letter from CEDA with your application ID and instructions on how to upload the documentation required to complete your application.
If it has been more than 30 days since you filled out the online application and you have not received any follow-up documentation from CEDA, please call CEDA at 1-800-571-CEDA (2332) to seek assistance.