Illinois seniors can get heating help

SPRINGFIELD — It’s still summer, but low-income seniors and the disabled might want to be thinking about winter.

They can start signing up for winter heating assistance beginning Sept. 1 with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s office of energy assistance.

To sign up people need to prove their household’s gross income and show proof of Social Security.

A single person qualifies for help if their monthly income is $1,361 or less. A two-person household can have monthly income up to $1,839. The requirement for a family of three is $2,316 or less and $2,794 for a family of four.

Families with young children under the age of five can start applying for assistance starting Oct. 1. Others can begin applying Nov. 1.