Heating Bill Help Is Open. Here's How to Apply in McHenry County

Illinois' heating bill assistance program opened Oct. 1 for some households, and everyone else who qualifies can apply starting Nov. 1, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, started with applicants age 60 and older, people with a disability, and households with a child 5 or younger. The same early window covers households that are already disconnected, have a disconnect date within seven days, or have less than 25% left in their propane tank, DCEO says. Applications run into mid-August 2027, or until the money runs out.

For households that are ComEd or Nicor Gas customers, DCEO says combined gross income for the 30 days before applying must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines: $3,990 for one person, $5,410 for two, $6,830 for three, $8,250 for four and $9,670 for five. DCEO's chart continues through eight people. Customers of other utilities and energy vendors must be at or below 60% of the state median income, DCEO says, and its page does not list dollar figures for that group.

DCEO says to fill out the online Request for Services form at helpillinoisfamilies.com during your application month, then wait for your local agency to call or email. In McHenry County that agency is the McHenry County Housing Authority, 1125 Mitchell Court in Crystal Lake, 815-338-7752. The authority's own energy assistance page still showed last season's dates and income limits when we checked on Oct. 27, so go by DCEO's figures above. If you have not heard back within three weeks, DCEO says to contact the agency directly, and anyone with a disconnect notice should call the agency right away. For help with the online form, the state call center is 1-833-711-0374.

DCEO says to have these ready for every household member: proof of income for the past 30 days, such as a pay stub or a check or copy of a check for Social Security, VA or other benefits; your most recent heating or electric bill, issued within the last 30 days; a Social Security card or ITIN if you have one, though people without either can still apply; and, for renters whose heat is included in the rent, a copy of the rental agreement showing that.

DCEO describes the benefit as a one-time payment, based on a percentage of average gas and electric bills, sent to your utility. Renters whose heat is included in the rent may get a cash benefit instead, DCEO says. The state's final plan for this season, posted in October, estimates benefits from $58 to $2,564. It does not say what a given household will get. ComEd and Nicor Gas say customers approved for LIHEAP are enrolled automatically in their low-income discount programs, which cut monthly bills. Nicor puts its discounts at 5% to 77%, and ComEd's program began Jan. 1, 2026. Households that do not qualify for LIHEAP may still qualify for those discounts, DCEO says; ask Nicor Gas or ComEd.

To apply or ask questions, call the McHenry County Housing Authority at 815-338-7752 or the state line at 1-833-711-0374.

Marengo Weekly reviewed DCEO's utility bill assistance, How To Apply, Where To Apply and FAQ pages and its McHenry County agency listing, the state's final 2027 LIHEAP plan, the McHenry County Housing Authority's contact and energy assistance pages, Nicor Gas's LIHEAP page and ComEd's announcement of its low-income discount, between Oct. 2 and Oct. 27, 2026, for this article.