People seeking assistance with power bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will find that the income guidelines have changed for this year. The CEFS fiscal year which runs from June-June was recently updated for 2009, representing roughly a 2.6 percent increase.

For example, a family of four earning $2,581 during a 30-day period last year, can make up to $2,650 and still qualify.

CEFS Outreach Coordinator for Shelby County, Beth Marts said she expects the number of applications to rise this year due to increased energy costs.

Applications for LIHEAP begin September 1 for those 60 and over and those who are disabled. November 1 begins the application period for everyone else. No appointments are made before September 1.

There is also the LIHEAP summer cooling assistance program which operates on a year-to-year basis. Marts said the program ran out of funding earlier this season because the bills were so high. "There were a lot of people who needed emergency reconnection and the money went fast."

Marts said that changes in income guidelines are necessary to help keep the application process balanced and fair.

Last year, CEFS received 857 applications and approved 744. HHS (Health and Human Services) contributed $179,448 and the State of Illinois spent $150,610 to keep people connected--a total of $330,058.

Marts said that emergency reconnection to propane represented the biggest increase in funds use last year.

"Last winter, below-zero and single-digit temperatures resulted in a 30 percent increase in LIHEAP applications for propane assistance. People needed emergency reconnection for propane and it was costing through the roof to get delivery of propane," said Marts.

Traditionally, propane was much cheaper than natural gas. People living in rural communities took advantage of the cheaper fuel source. Now that propane and natural gas are close to the same price, Marts said a minimum delivery costs $500-$600. "That eats up those funds pretty fast," said Marts.

Marts also said that the CEFS agency has been discussing changes in their policy regarding propane, but no decisions have been made, "There has been some talk. Our agency has advocated chances to the LIHEAP program concerning propane for several years, now."

LIHEAP Income 2007-2008

No. in Home 30-day Inc.

1 $1276