FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: (618) 257-9246 LIHEAP ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ST. CLAIR COUNTY RESIDENTS St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern has announced September,1 2016 as the start of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). LIHEAP and PIPP are offered through the St. Clair County Community Action Agency that assists low income households with winter heating bills. Eligibility for LIHEAP and/or PIPP must be within the income guidelines outlined in the table below. LIHEAP and PIPP appointments will begin on September 1, 2016 for seniors 60 (sixty) or over and/or residents that are disabled. Beginning October 3rd, households with children under the age of 6 (six) and households that are disconnected will be served. All other qualified households will be eligible to apply beginning November 1st. LIHEAP will be offered until May 31, 2017 or until funding is exhausted. PIPP will be offered until December, 2016 or until funding is exhausted. WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE THEIR UTILITIES CONNECTED. LIHEAP Required Documentation: Documents necessary for application processing include proof of income from all sources for every household member for the thirty (30) day period beginning with the date of application (if your payday falls on the day of your appointment; you must bring in that check stub). If the applicant has no income, the applicant must present a current Illinois Job Link from the local Illinois Department of Employment Security office (IDES). The applicant must also complete a Zero Income Affidavit at the time of their appointment. All persons 18 and over who reside in the household, that have zero income must show current proof of in-school status or provide a current Illinois Job Link. The applicant must provide: 1. Proof of age. 2. Proof of receiving disability income from the Social Security Administration, if applicable. 3. Current Illinois picture I.D. for the head of household and/or an applicant living in the household. 4. Social Security cards for all household members (paper cards only). 5. All pages of the current gas and electric bill in the name of the applicant and/or household member. 6. Medical insurance - Medicare, Medicaid, Red, White & Blue, Molina, Harmony, Meridian, etc. 7. Current rent receipt and/or lease agreement. No cancelled checks or money order receipts will be accepted as valid rent documentation. 8. Proof of home ownership is required for furnace applicants only. 2017 INCOME GUIDELINES Family 150% 150% Size 30 Day Income Annual Income 1 $1,485 $17,820 2 $2,003 $24,030 3 $2,520 $30,240 4 $3,038 $36,450 5 $3,555 $42,660 6 $4,073 $48,870 7 $4,591 $55,095 8 $5,111 $61,335 For families with more than 8 persons, add $520 or for each additional person. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. = Page 1 =