Bill help · Illinois

How to get help paying your electric bill in Illinois

If there's a shutoff date on your notice — or you're just dreading the next bill in this heat — you're in the right place, and you have more options than most people realize. You usually don't need the money today to stop a disconnection. Asking for help is something millions of households do every summer; it's a process, not a confession.

Facing a shutoff this week? Do this first.

If today's forecast is 90°F+ or there's an NWS heat alert, your utility legally can't disconnect you — call and say so. Then apply for LIHEAP/PIPP (being disconnected makes you a priority) and ask for a payment plan.

Before you call, have your account number, the shutoff notice, and a rough sense of your household income ready. When you hang up, you should have three things: a confirmation number, the new amount due, and the new date. If you don't, ask for all three before you go.

Your summer shutoff protection in Illinois

In Illinois, your electricity can't be shut off for nonpayment on a day the forecast hits 90°F — or any day there's a National Weather Service heat advisory or warning.

No disconnection when the forecast is 90°F or above, or any time an NWS excessive-heat watch/advisory/warning is in effect (in force since Jan 1, 2024). Note: older rule text still says 95°F — 90°F is current.

Source: Illinois Commerce Commission — utility & energy assistance. Rules and thresholds can change — confirm the current rule before relying on it.

A medical certificate halts a disconnection for 60 days — one of the longest medical holds of any state here.

Assistance programs in Illinois

LIHEAP

Run by Illinois DCEO (local agencies; CEDA in Cook County).

Open through Aug 15 or until funds run out. Illinois has no separate AC/fan cooling program in 2026 — LIHEAP can still go toward your electric bill.

Apply through Illinois DCEO (Help Illinois Families) → · 1-833-711-0374

  • PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) — chosen within LIHEAP — caps your electric bill at 6% of gross monthly income, and on-time payments earn credits against your old balance.
  • ComEd's CARE programs and Ameren's payment agreements can layer arrearage help and bill credits on top.

Your utility's own programs

Which help you get depends on who your electric company is, not just your state. Find yours below — these programs are often the biggest, most durable relief, because they lower the bill going forward, not just once.

Step by step, when a shutoff is looming

  1. 1

    Read your notice for the real deadline

    Find the shutoff date and the exact amount needed to avoid termination — it's often less than your full balance.

  2. 2

    Call your utility before that date

    Even with no money in hand. Ask for a payment plan and whether enrolling in assistance or a payment plan pauses the shutoff.

  3. 3

    Apply for assistance

    Apply for LIHEAP (1-833-711-0374) and ask your utility about its own program. A pending application can hold off a disconnection.

  4. 4

    Use a medical certificate if anyone is vulnerable

    A medical certificate halts a disconnection for 60 days — one of the longest medical holds of any state here.

  5. 5

    Escalate if the rules are broken

    If your utility won't follow the rules, contact Illinois Commerce Commission at 1-800-524-0795.

If your utility won't play by the rules

Your state regulator can halt an improper disconnection. They enforce the notice periods, the summer rules, and the medical-certificate protections — and a complaint can stop a shutoff while it's reviewed.

Illinois Commerce Commission → · 1-800-524-0795

How often does this actually happen in Illinois?

More than most people think — which is exactly why these protections exist. In 2024, federal data shows Illinois utilities cut power to households for nonpayment at very different rates. Ameren Illinois disconnected about 6.8 per 100 customers — the highest of the Illinois utilities we track. You're not an outlier for needing help; you're one of many.

See how every utility ranks on disconnections →

If the main programs are tapped out

When government funds run dry or you're just over the income line, these are the backstops:

One warning, because this audience gets targeted: your real utility will never demand a gift card, and a genuine shutoff never happens in the next hour over the phone. If someone says that, it's a scam — hang up and call the number printed on your bill. More on utility scams →

The honest read on Illinois

  • Illinois has real teeth in summer: the 90°F rule and the 60-day medical hold are among the strongest protections in any state we cover.
  • Watch the date wrinkle — some official pages still print the old 95°F threshold. The number that protects you now is 90°F.
  • Many Illinois towns run opt-out aggregation, so check your bill's supply line — you may be on a third-party supplier that's part of the problem.

Common questions

Can my electricity be shut off in summer in Illinois?
In Illinois, your electricity can't be shut off for nonpayment on a day the forecast hits 90°F — or any day there's a National Weather Service heat advisory or warning. No disconnection when the forecast is 90°F or above, or any time an NWS excessive-heat watch/advisory/warning is in effect (in force since Jan 1, 2024). Note: older rule text still says 95°F — 90°F is current. It's worth knowing the exact rule, because it may mean you're already protected today.
What's the fastest way to stop a shutoff in Illinois this week?
If today's forecast is 90°F+ or there's an NWS heat alert, your utility legally can't disconnect you — call and say so. Then apply for LIHEAP/PIPP (being disconnected makes you a priority) and ask for a payment plan.
How do I apply for help paying my electric bill in Illinois?
Start with LIHEAP, run by Illinois DCEO (local agencies; CEDA in Cook County). Open through Aug 15 or until funds run out. Illinois has no separate AC/fan cooling program in 2026 — LIHEAP can still go toward your electric bill. You can apply online or by phone (1-833-711-0374). Also ask your own utility about its assistance program — that's often the bigger, longer-term help.
Does applying for assistance stop a disconnection in Illinois?
Often, yes. In many cases, having a pending assistance application or an accepted payment plan postpones a shutoff — you don't always have to wait for the money to land. Say so explicitly when you call your utility, and get a confirmation number.

Last reviewed June 18, 2026. Program names, income limits, dollar amounts, and dates change every year — and funds run out mid-season. We verify each link against the official source, but always confirm the current details with the agency or your utility before you rely on them. This is general consumer information, not legal or financial advice.

RateWatchdog is independent. We take no supplier commissions, we don't profit from which program you choose, and we'll always point you to the official, free source — including when it isn't us. See all states →