You may be eligible for assistance through a rate relief program. Take the time to check out these resources, and it may pay off for you!

These rate relief programs for electric customers of The Ameren Illinois Utilities (CIPS/CILCO/IP) provide bill-paying assistance and address the special needs of eligible customers (up to 400% of the federal poverty level), senior citizens, small businesses, non-profit organizations and customers with unique hardships. 

Residential Program Information

Cooling Assistance Program

The Ameren Illinois Utilities provide donations to the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services (DHFS) through a network of local agencies. The Ameren Illinois Utilities' contributions will help fund individual cooling assistance grants of $150 to qualifying seniors, the disabled and vulnerable households with children. $7 million will be allocated over four years.  Check your eligibility for this program.

Residential Bill Payment Assistance Program

The Ameren Illinois Utilities provide $300 energy assistance grants to low-income electric customers with household incomes of 150 percent to 200 percent of the energy assistance federal poverty level ($31,800 to $42,396 for a family of four). The grants will be provided through the local community action agencies that administer the LIHEAP. Check your eligibility for this program.

Hardship Assistance for Residential Customers

The Ameren Illinois Utilities provides funds for bill payment assistance for residential customers with certain hardship situations. Local community action agencies that administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will distribute the funds based on the hardship of customers with household incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($84,800 for a family of four). A grant of $600 per household may be provided. $8.5 million will be allocated over four years. Check your eligibility for this program.

Space Heat Weatherization Aid

Assistance is available to LIHEAP-approved customers, particularly those with high usage and all-electric households. The DHFS is partnering with the Ameren Illinois utilities to implement this program. (If you have questions, call your Ameren Illinois Utility customer service number below, or contact LIHEAP directly at the number below.)

Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL) Discounts

The Ameren Illinois Utilities are providing nearly one million compact fluorescent light bulbs at discounted prices for residential customers. The bulbs use as much as 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, produce 75 percent less heat and last up to 10 times longer.  Changing out just 20 bulbs to CFLs can save $100 a year in electricity costs. Link to our CFL Bulb Offer Fulfillment Center to learn more about current offers or order your discounted bulbs.

Residential Unemployment Program

We are pleased that 10,666 customers will receive a $300 grant towards their electric bill through the Residential Unemployment Program. Funds have been depleted, and the program is no longer active.

The Ameren Illinois Utilities' Residential Unemployment Program provided a one-time $300 grant to qualifying electric customers currently out of work. Eligibility was based on the following:

1. You are an active residential Ameren Illinois Utilities' electric customer who is current unemployed due to a job lay-off. Unemployment must not have occurred before December 2008.
2. The Ameren Illinois Utilities account is listed in your name or your spouse's name. There is a limit of one grant per household.
3. The Ameren Illinois Utilities account is your primary residence.
4. You are able to provide documentation of unemployment, such as confirmation of an unemployment insurance claim.

QUESTIONS? CALL YOUR AMEREN ILLINOIS UTILTIES CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER:

AmerenCIPS	1-888-789-2477
AmerenCILCO	1-800-755-5000
AmerenIP	1-888-672-5252

OR CALL LIHEAP DIRECTLY AT: 1-877-411-9276