Need help with heating bills?  Here are some area programs that may help.

Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program If your household’s combined income for the 30 days prior to application is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as shown in the chart below, you may be eligible to receive assistance.  If you rent and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, your rent must be greater than 30% of your income in order to be eligible to receive assistance.

• Bond County – BCMW Community Services, Inc – 915D South Third – Greenville, IL 62263 – Telephone: 618-664-3309 –  Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Web site: BCMW Community Services 
• Macoupin County – Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation – 223 South Macoupin Street – P.O. Box 88 – Gillespie, Illinois 62033 – Telephone: 217-839-4431  Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Madison County – Madison County Community Development – 130 Hillsboro Avenue, Suite 100 – Edwardsville, Illinois 62025 – Telephone: 618-692-6200 ext. 6485  – Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Web site: Madison County Community Development

Society of St. Vincent De Paul (Must live in the Edwardsville School District #7)  – The St. Boniface Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic Service Organization whose primary mission is to keep families in their  homes by providing emergency housing and utilities assistance.  If you need assistance please call their help line at 1-800-775-0712 extension 7777.

Warm Neighbors – Their programs are designed to help low- to moderate-income customers of Ameren Illinois. They help senior citizens trying to manage rising expenses on a fixed income and families coping with disability, illness and job loss. Most do not qualify for other forms of assistance, so they need your help even more.  Typically, total household income must fall between 150 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for bill payment assistance. Warm Neighbor’s home weatherization program targets households with incomes at 200 to 300 percent of the poverty level.  warmneighborscoolfriends.com

• Bound County – Bond County Senior Citizens Center Greenville- 618-664-1465
• Macoupin County – Gillespie Ministerial Association – 217-839-3667
• Madison County – Riverbend Family Ministries, Woodriver 618-251-9790
• Madison County – Collinsville Township Office – 618-344-1290

Glen Ed Pantry (Residence in Edwardsville School Dist.)  618-656-7506 – glenedpantry@sbcglobal.net