AARP Online Community: AARPIL - More Information on Lowering Your Utility Bills

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Chicago, Illinois
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AARP

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Chicago, IL - State Office
Springfield, IL - Legislative Office

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More Information on Lowering Your Utility Bills - PIPP

WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE INCOME PAYMENT PLAN?

In July, Governor Quinn signed an AARP-backed bill that will help provide some relief to consumers who are struggling with increasing utility bills. The law (Public Act 96-0033) created the Percentage Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The PIPP program is designed to assist low-income customers in making their utility service more affordable by providing year around assistance. The program sets eligible customer's utility bills at 6% of their household income - with the remainer paid from state and federal energy assistance funding.

IS THE PIPP PROGRAM AVAILABLE NOW?

The PIPP program is currently under development by the state, utilities, and consumer advocates, and is expected to be rolled-out on a small scale in November/December for electric heat (ComEd and Ameren) customers, and December/January for natural gas heat (Ameren, Peoples/North Shore and Nicor) customers. The program will be fully online in 2011.

WHAT ABOUT GETTING ASSISTANCE NOW?

Currently, applications are being accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP). LiHEAP provides eligible households with a one-time energy assistance grant and emergency re-connection assistance. Applications for LiHEAP are administered through Community Action Agencies - see link for the list of agencies by county. The PIPP program will have the same application process once it is operational.

http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/LIHEAP/Illinois+LIHEAP/community+action+agencies.htm

For more information, call the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at 1-877-411-9276.