Get help with Ameren bills in Illinois
People in Illinois who are struggling with paying their Ameren utility bills can look into a number of assistance programs. The utility company coordinates with State of Illinois programs, community action agencies, and a nonprofit to offer grants, discounts, protections, and payment arrangements that can prevent a shutoff and lower monthly costs. Find more details below on how to get help with Ameren bills and the contact information for IL residents.
Government assistance for paying Ameren bills
LIHEAP remains the main state-run program and can be used to pay Ameren bills. The programs continues to provide a one-time benefit and crisis aid to eligible households. A priority is on older adults, people with disabilities, families with a child under six, and households that are disconnected or facing shutoff of their Ameren service. A crisis component can help those with an emergency situation and that money can be issued in a matter of days to people that qualify.
- Apply for funds through your local administering agency or by contacting the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374. LIHEAP in Illinois is administered by local community action agencies. Households may also get furnace repair or replacement when a heating system fails and funds are available. The amount of financial assistance offered will be based on the number of persons in the household, the type of fuel they use (e.g. propane, electric, etc.), as well as the applicants total household income
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF) continues to help Ameren Illinois customers who typically do not qualify for government programs (such as LIHEAP above). The nonprofit offers grants (generally up to $500) to moderate-income households. It is not a charity type program. Money can help pay heating bills during the winter and air conditioning or cooling bills during the summer.
- People who tend to receive financial assistance from Warm Neighbors Cool Friends include the elderly who live on a fixed income that is moderate in nature, single parents struggling to make ends meet, and families who are coping with a job loss but still have a decent income.
Home weatherization and energy conservation is also offered by Ameren in Illinois, and it can help make harsh winters and hot summers more bearable. This free conservation program funded by the federal government can help people save a significant amount of money as well as make their homes more comfortable to live in. This benefit is delivered by community action agencies, to cut energy waste and improve safety for qualifying households.
Get financial help or payment plans from Ameren
General People Bill Assistance from Ameren is offered too. The utility company offers several programs that provide utility bill-paying assistance to those Illinois families in need. They are wide ranging, and the programs also address the special needs of customers with unique hardships.
- Ameren Illinois continues to offer payment agreements so customers with a past-due balance can avoid disconnection. Down-payment requirements vary by season but can be negotiated or waived as needed. In general, from April 1 to November 30, a 25% down payment is typical (some LIHEAP-qualified customers may be asked for 20%), and from December 1 to March 31, a 10% down payment is required. Customers must also keep paying the current monthly bill while on a program. Some programs are available that provide benefits, such as bill credits, to the following customers or find more examples of various types of assistance programs for electric bills.
Ameren’s Income-Eligible Status program can waive deposits for new service for Illinois households and late-payment charges. Households automatically qualify if they receive LIHEAP or PIPP. Others may qualify if household income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income or if someone is eligible for a federal Lifeline program; annual recertification is required.
For Ameren Illinois natural gas customers, the state-approved Natural Gas Service Discount provides a monthly discount on gas service charges for income-eligible households. LIHEAP recipients are enrolled automatically; customers above LIHEAP limits may also qualify in a separate tier by verifying income with Ameren. Recertification is required to keep the discount.
Another option is Ameren’s Energy Efficiency Program. This provides free or low-cost home energy assessments and upgrades for income-eligible customers in Illinois. It can help pay for things like air sealing, insulation, and smart thermostats which can permanently bring bills down. You can apply online or by phone through the program.
The Ameren Illinois Military Support Program is available from time to time. Grant amounts and availability have varied over time and depend on funding. The power company helps disabled veterans, active members of the military, and their immediate family members.
- This military assistance program provides additional benefits to qualified members of the service, such as exemption from late charges, additional payment agreements, and deposit waivers. This resource is offered to those members of the military who live in Illinois and who are faced with a hardship.
Budget Billing is offered to all customers, no matter their income. This is a free billing option that helps level out, or budget, a customer’s payments throughout the year. The amount someone is charged from Budget Billing is based on the customers total energy usage during the previous year, and that amount is averaged out.
Apply for assistance, payment plans, grants, or other energy assistance
Start by contacting your local community action agency in Illinois to apply for LIHEAP or weatherization; that office can also screen you for related supports and crisis help. If you prefer to call statewide, the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374 will route you to the right agency.
If you’re behind with Ameren now or may struggling with paying future power costs, contact the utility to set up a payment agreement, ask about Income-Eligible Status waivers, and check whether your natural gas service in Illinois qualifies for the discount. Ameren’s main residential customer support line is 800-755-5000 with the website here (https://www.ameren.com/illinois/contact-us). All options can be explored.
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