Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas shared information about energy assistance, stating, "This energy bill assistance program can assist with natural gas, propane, electricity bills, and furnace assistance," in an October 5 Facebook post.

"The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for income-qualified households," said Haas, according to Facebook. "This energy bill assistance program can assist with natural gas, propane, electricity bills, and furnace assistance. Applications are open now through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted."

According to her Facebook post, Haas provided a link to a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website focused on community action agencies and programs available to help Illinois residents. The list includes the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps households pay for home energy services such as heating gas, propane, and electricity. Applicants must fill out a request for services form by April 15, 2025, or they can apply through a local administering agency until August 15, 2025, or later if funding has not been exhausted.

Screenshot of State Rep. Jackie Haas' Oct. 5 Facebook post | State Representative Jackie Haas' Facebook page

Households may be eligible for assistance if their monthly income is up to $6,993 for a household of six individuals. The range for 30-day gross income eligibility spans from $2,510 for a single-person household to $6,993 for a household of six. Local agencies can provide information for households larger than six. To prove eligibility, applicants must verify income through a pay stub or check showing fixed income amount, present a utility bill if seeking utility assistance, and provide a social security card for each household member who has one. Illinois residents should work with local agencies in their counties to complete an application. The request for services form is not an application for the program according to DCEO.

LIHEAP applications are accepted from October 1 to August 15. Individuals over 60 years old, disabled individuals, households with at least one child under five years of age, or households that have already had utilities disconnected are allowed to apply starting October 1. All other households may apply for LIHEAP assistance on November 1 according to DCEO.

Haas was elected to represent Illinois’ 79th House District in December 2020. She is CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Health and previously worked as a social worker at Riverside Medical Center. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago according to her biography from the Illinois General Assembly.