As Illinois families face continued pressure from rising household expenses, the state's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and ComEd's Low-Income Discount (LID) program are providing immediate and ongoing bill relief to help income-eligible customers manage their energy costs. LIHEAP provides qualifying households with a one-time grant for heating and cooling costs, while LID delivers ongoing, income-based discounts of 5% to 80% on monthly electric bills.
Today, ComEd and the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) of Cook County joined government officials and community partners in announcing the expansion of LIHEAP eligibility across Illinois. This year's LIHEAP program expands income eligibility to households with incomes at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, up from 200% in 2025. Under these new guidelines, the yearly income limit is $47,880 for a household of one, and $99,000 for a household of four. To apply, visit helpillinoisfamilies.com.
With LIHEAP recipients automatically qualified to receive discounts under LID, ComEd representatives were also on hand to provide information on other bill-assistance options available through ComEd. These representatives staffed one of ComEd's Mobile Assistance Units, a fleet of vehicles equipped with technology and staffed by representatives who can connect ComEd customers with bill-support programs from anywhere in the company's northern Illinois service territory.
"Working with partners like CEDA, local government and community advocates demonstrates ComEd's commitment to connecting eligible customers with immediate support through LIHEAP grants, as well as LID and other assistance programs that lower energy costs across the communities we serve," said Gil Quiniones, President & CEO at ComEd. "As energy costs rise, these programs help mitigate the increases and serve as a lifeline for families facing tough economic pressures and whose wellbeing depends on having access to electricity."
Applications for LIHEAP grants are currently available for households most in need of assistance including adults aged 60 and older, individuals with disabilities, families with at least one child age 5 and under, and people who have been disconnected or may face imminent disconnection. Beginning Nov. 1, all income-eligible households can apply.
To make it easier for customers to access ComEd support options, the company works with community action agencies, like CEDA of Cook County, to help connect customers with bill-assistance options that get them back on track. The launch of the new LIHEAP funding season adds to the housing, employment and education support offered by CEDA.
"At CEDA, we're excited that Illinois has expanded LIHEAP eligibility, opening the door for more hardworking families to get help with their utility bills. With everyday expenses stretching household budgets, this is welcome news for families across Cook County," said Glen Ofenloch, Interim CEO of CEDA. "Even if you didn't qualify before, don't count yourself out. The income guidelines have changed, and you may now be eligible for assistance. Best of all, you can apply online without ever leaving your home at CEDAorg.net. It only takes a few minutes to get started, and those few minutes could make a real difference in your family's budget."
"We know many families are working hard just to keep up with the rising cost of everyday necessities, and no one should have to face those challenges alone," said Patricia Joan Murphy, Supervisor, Worth Township, whose office works with CEDA to provide LIHEAP intake to area households. "At Worth Township, we're proud to connect our neighbors with valuable services and resources that can help ease financial pressures and meet critical needs. By working together with ComEd, CEDA of Cook County and our local elected leaders, we can reach more families, strengthen the support available to them and help lift up the communities we all serve."
Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis through Aug. 13, 2027, or until program funds are exhausted. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year's LIHEAP funding provided assistance to 360,500 households, with an average of $676 per household.
"Programs like LIHEAP and ComEd's Low-Income Discount program provide critical relief for families facing rising costs across the board," said Illinois State Rep. Mary Gill. "Making sure Illinois families can keep the lights on and stay warm without having to choose between essential expenses is an important part of supporting our communities."
"I am proud to partner with ComEd and CEDA to promote the Low-Income Discount program that can reduce energy bills up to 80% for our most needy citizens," said Illinois State Rep. Rick Ryan. "This program will help single mothers and our elderly at a time when the cost of living continues to skyrocket at our grocery stores and at the gas pumps. I will do anything I can to help lower costs for my neighbors."
ComEd bill-assistance options
In addition to LIHEAP and LID, ComEd can connect customers with a growing suite of bill assistance options that include:
- ComEd's Supplemental Arrearage Reduction (SARP), which is available to ComEd residential customers who qualify to receive energy-assistance benefits from LIHEAP.
- A flexible deferred payment arrangement of up to 12 months for eligible residential customers with past-due balances. Make a down payment on the amount owed and pay the rest through installments in addition to your regular monthly bill.
- Budget billing, which provides a predictable monthly amount due based on your electricity usage for the last 12 months.
- Flexible payment options like 21-day extensions on a customer's due date.
- High-usage alerts, which let customers know when their usage is trending higher than normal to help manage overall energy use, and energy-management tips to save money now and on future energy bills.
- Community solar allows customers to participate in the benefits of clean solar energy without installing panels on their own homes. Participants subscribe to a solar energy project and earn credits on their monthly utility bills for their portion of the energy produced by the solar project.
- Energy-efficiency offerings, including services and incentives designed for income-eligible residential customers, which can help reduce energy use now and in the future.
Customers can visit ComEd.com/BillSupport to learn more about and enroll in programs to help them with their current and future energy bills.
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation's largest utility companies, serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4.2 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information, visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X and YouTube.
