ABOUT CEDA

EMPOWERING CHICAGOLAND

What is it?

For many households, utility bills can place stress on a family’s budget. In some cases, the household may be forced to make difficult decisions, such as sacrificing certain necessities in order to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP can help to take some of that stress away and keep utilities running.

How does it help?

ONE TIME BENEFIT provided to eligible households towards your gas & electric bill.

Do I qualify?

To qualify, you must meet the new, expanded income guidelines.

What is it?

For many households, utility bills can place stress on a family’s budget. In some cases, the household may be forced to make difficult decisions, such as sacrificing certain necessities in order to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP can help to take some of that stress away and keep utilities running.

How does it help?

ONE TIME BENEFIT provided to eligible households towards your gas & electric bill.

Do I qualify?

To qualify, you must meet the new, expanded income guidelines.

WHO WE HELP

CEDA offers a variety of services to families and individuals in need.
If you or someone you love are in need of support, please see our programs below.

Share The Warmth

This grant program is administered for Peoples Gas by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). Share the Warmth provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers can receive grants of up to $200 on their bills.

Water Assistance

This program provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year.

Furnace Assistance

If your household is LIHEAP eligible and your heating system isn’t working properly or is red-tagged, CEDA can help repair or replace your furnace or boiler. If you reside in a single-family home, a building of up to 4 units, or a condo, you may be eligible.

Weatherization

This program makes homes safer and more comfortable. Weatherization improvements also make buildings more energy efficient, lowering energy bills in the long run. The weatherization program works on single-family and multi-family homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most CEDA utility assistance programs determine income eligibility based on the gross income of the household in the last 30 days. The table below can be used to estimate your household’s potential income eligibility:
Household Size 30-Day Gross Income
1 $2,265
2 $3,052
3 $3,838
4 $4,625
5 $5,412
6 $6,198
7 $6,985
8 $7,324
Click the “Save Time, Apply Online” button to begin step one of the online application for the LIHEAP-DVP program. LIHEAP-DVP is the only program with an online application at this time. Please answer all questions accurately and completely. You will need to provide social security numbers and income information for your entire household over the past 30 days, so please have that information and documentation at hand. When you have entered all of your household information to complete step one of the process, you will receive an email and a letter from CEDA with your application ID and instructions on how to upload the documentation required to complete step two of your application. Once everything has been uploaded, CEDA will verify your application with 45 days and communicate your application’s status via mail.
Yes. All assistance programs can accommodate an undocumented resident in your household. The LIHWAP program will require at least one member of the household to be documented. Please reach out to a CEDA Partner Intake Site or our Phone Intake Hotline at (800) 571-2332 to begin an application.
Yes. We offer Intake over the phone for applicants who are homebound. Applicants who are unable to complete the application themselves may authorize a proxy to complete the application on their behalf. Any adult in the household can complete the application without any additional paperwork. A non-household member may complete an application if they provide a signed, dated, letter from the head of household authorizing them to complete the application on the household’s behalf.
Yes. Renters may apply for the LIHEAP-DVP program. They will need to submit documentation proving that their light and/or gas bills are included in their rent. If eligible, the benefit will be paid directly to the renter.
When you have entered all of your household information to complete step one of the process, you will receive an email and a letter from CEDA with your application ID and instructions on how to upload the documentation required to complete your application.
If it has been more than 30 days since you filled out the online application and you have not received any follow-up documentation from CEDA, please call CEDA at 1-800-571-CEDA (2332) to seek assistance.

Have Any Question?

(872)806-2066

Income Guidelines

Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
30 Day Gross Income $2,265 $3,052 $3,838 $4,625 $5,412 $6,198 $6,985 $7,324

LIHEAP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS