For Release: 10/31/2014

Financial Assistance for Heating Bills Opens on November 1-Peoples Gas Encourages Customers to Apply Early CHICAGO, IL - Peoples Gas is encouraging its customers to prepare for winter by applying early for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Share the Warmth grants to help with heating costs. General enrollment for LIHEAP opens on November 1, with over $150 million dollars in funding available for Illinois residents to help with winter bills. Both Share the Warmth and LIHEAP provide financial assistance to limited and fixed-income households. Grants can be used to reconnect service, avoid disconnection and maintain a home's natural gas service. LIHEAP provides grants of varying amounts based on household need to help customers pay outstanding bills and reconnect service. Share the Warmth, which opened on October 22, provides a matching grant of up to $200. Both programs are administered by CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association). Peoples Gas customers can call the CEDA hotline at (800) 571-CEDA (2332) or visit the website to find the location of the closest LIHEAP application site. "We want to ensure our customers are informed and able to manage their energy costs ahead of winter by offering financial assistance, bill payment options, and rebates which encourage energy efficiency," said John Kleczynski, president, Peoples Gas. "We encourage customers to prepare for winter and apply early during this first autumn cold snap." More than 81,000 Peoples Gas households received approximately $42 million dollars in LIHEAP and Share the Warmth financial assistance during last year's heating season. Customers are eligible for a LIHEAP grant if their income is 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Share the Warmth eligibility is 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. When applying for a LIHEAP grant, customers should bring the following documents:
  • Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date
  • Copy of most recent utility bill
  • Proof of Social Security Numbers of all household members
  • If a household member receives TANF, you must bring their Medical Eligibility Card
  • Applicants that have their utilities included in the rent must bring proof of rental
When applying for a Share the Warmth grant, customers only need:
  • Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period prior to the application date
  • Copy of most recent utility bill
Customers can also visit the company website for a list of application sites and guidelines, as well as tips on conservation and energy efficiency, two great tools in helping to manage energy costs. Peoples Gas would like to remind customers that federal law requires regular inspection of natural gas meters and service pipes located inside homes. To avoid any disruption to your natural gas service or financial assistance, please ensure you allow Peoples Gas to inspect your meter when necessary. About Peoples Gas

Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 831,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago.

  • Bonnie Johnson (Media)
    Manager, Public Relations
    (312) 240-3661
    (312) 907-7333 (CELL)


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