Frank Schwab, Executive Director for the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced that Illinois Valley has been designated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to operate a limited Summer Energy Assistance Program in the counties of Macoupin, Greene, Jersey and Calhoun. The program is designed to help income eligible households maintain electrical service during the summer.

This program provides one-time payments for income-eligible homeowners and renters in the form of credit of $150.00 to electric providers to help pay energy costs. Eligibility for the Summer program is limited to households that contain a member who:

is 60 years of age or older

has a child under the age of 5

has a documented medical condition necessitating an airconditioned enviroment

is receiving Social Security Disability or can document a pending application

or has income equal or less than 150 percent of the poverty level as defined in the 2012 HHS
poverty guidelines.

The agency will accept calls for applications immediately. The program will end on July 27, 2012.

Call the local agency office in your respective county to make an appointment for your application to be taken.