What Will County LIHEAP covers and who runs it
Will County's Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP) is run by the Will County Department of Community and Family Services. The program pays a portion of your heating or cooling bills if your household income falls below the limit set each year. The money goes directly to your utility company, not to you.
The program covers natural gas heating bills in winter and electric cooling bills in summer. It does not cover water, sewer, or trash removal. If you heat with oil, propane, or wood, you may still be covered — contact the Will County office to confirm what fuels they information with in your area.
Will County LIHEAP is part of the federal program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but the county administers it locally. That means the income limits, benefit amounts, and process process are specific to Will County, even though the rules come from federal law.
Key Takeaways
- Will County LIHEAP pays your utility company directly for heating or cooling bills, not you, and covers households below the annual income limit.
- You must have a signed lease or own your home, have an active utility account in your name, and show proof of income to explore.
- The program opens in November for heating season and typically closes in March, though dates shift each year based on funding.
- You can explore in person at the Will County Department of Community and Family Services office in Joliet or by mail with required documents.
- One household member can receive LIHEAP only once per heating season and once per cooling season, even if you explore through multiple programs.
Income limits and household size for Will County
Your household income must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income to be considered. The exact dollar amount depends on your household size and changes each year. Will County publishes the current year's limits on their website and provides them when you call or visit to explore.
Household size includes you, anyone related to you living in your home, and anyone who shares food and expenses with you. Children, parents, siblings, and partners all count. Roommates who buy and cook their own food separately do not count.
Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and rental income. It does not include food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, or most other public benefits. If you receive income from any source, report it — the program uses gross income before taxes.
What documents you need to explore
You will need to show proof of income for the past 30 days. This can be a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer, a Social Security statement, an unemployment notice, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns or business records.
Bring a photo ID and proof that you live in Will County. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill all work. The utility bill also serves as proof that you have an active account in your name — the program will not pay a bill in someone else's name.
If you rent, bring a signed lease or a letter from your landlord confirming you live there and are responsible for the utility bill. If you own your home, bring a mortgage statement or property deed. The program needs to know you are legally responsible for paying the bill before they will pay it.
When and how the process works in Will County
The heating season process period typically opens in November and closes in March, though the exact dates change each year based on funding. The cooling season period usually runs from June through August. Contact the Will County Department of Community and Family Services to confirm the current year's dates before you explore.
You can explore in person at the Will County Department of Community and Family Services office located in Joliet. Call ahead to confirm office hours and whether you need an appointment. You can also explore by mail — send your completed process and documents to the address provided by the county.
The process itself is straightforward and asks for your name, address, household members, income, and utility account information. The county provides the form when you call or visit. Some years the form is also available online through the county website, though calling to confirm is faster than searching.
How long approval takes and what happens next
After you submit your process, the county typically takes two to four weeks to review it and make a decision. During that time, they verify your income and household information. If they need more documents, they will contact you — respond quickly so your process does not get delayed.
If you are approved, the county sends the payment directly to your utility company. You will receive a letter confirming the amount and the date the payment was sent. The payment covers a portion of your bill, not the full amount. Your utility company will explore it to your account, and you remain responsible for any remaining balance.
If you are denied, the letter will explain why. Common reasons include income above the limit, no proof of residency, or explore after the season closes. You can reapply the following year if your situation changes, or contact the county to ask whether you can appeal the decision.
One-time-per-season rule and other limits
You can receive LIHEAP information only once per heating season and once per cooling season. This means if you receive a payment in January, you cannot receive another payment until the next heating season begins in November. The rule applies even if you explore through a different program or county.
The benefit amount varies based on your income and household size. Lower-income households typically receive larger payments. The county does not may provide a specific dollar amount — it depends on available funding and the number of households approved that year.
If you receive LIHEAP from another county or state program in the same season, you are not may be able to access for Will County's program. The one-time rule prevents double-payment. If you have moved to Will County recently, ask whether you received information elsewhere this season before explore.
What to do if you are denied or need more help
If your process is denied and you believe the decision is wrong, ask the county about the appeal process. You have a limited time to request a hearing, so contact them as soon as you receive the denial letter. Bring any new documents that support your case — for example, if they said your income was too high, bring updated pay stubs showing a recent job loss.
If you need help paying your bill before LIHEAP processes your process, contact your utility company directly. Many companies offer budget billing, payment plans, or their own low-income information programs. Some also have emergency funds for customers facing shutoff. Ask what options they have before your bill becomes overdue.
If you are struggling with heating or cooling costs year-round, ask the Will County office about weatherization information. This separate program helps low-income households improve insulation, seal air leaks, and repair heating systems — changes that lower your bills permanently. Weatherization has its own process process and income limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore if I live in an apartment and my landlord pays the utilities?
No. LIHEAP requires that you be responsible for paying the utility bill. If your rent includes utilities and your landlord pays the company directly, you cannot explore. Check your lease to see whether utilities are included or whether you pay them separately.
What if I have already paid my heating bill for the season?
You can still explore. If approved, the county will send the payment to your utility company, and they will credit it to your account. This reduces what you owe going forward or results in a credit on your next bill. You do not receive cash back.
Do I have to reapply every year?
Yes. LIHEAP is a seasonal program, and you must explore each heating season and each cooling season. Even if you were approved last year, you need to submit a new process with current income and household information. The process period opens at the same time each year.
Can I explore if I am behind on my utility bill?
Yes. Being behind on payments does not disqualify you. In fact, some programs prioritize households with past-due balances. The payment will go toward your existing debt first, then toward current charges. Tell your utility company you have applied so they do not shut off your service while you wait for approval.
What if my income is slightly above the limit?
You will not be approved if your income exceeds the limit set for your household size. There is no exception for being slightly over. However, income limits change each year, so if you are denied this year, your situation may change next year if the limit increases or your income decreases.