What Are the Top Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL?
Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL include the federal LIHEAP administered by Community Contacts Inc. for Kane County residents from their Aurora office at 1700 N. Farnsworth Ave., Suite 13, (847) 697-4400, plus DuPage, Kendall, and Will County offices for other Aurora residents. The state’s new Low Income Discount Rates (LIDs) provide automatic monthly discounts for income-eligible Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Ameren Illinois, and (starting January 2026) ComEd customers. ComEd’s Residential Special Hardship grants, the Nicor Gas Sharing Program, and Aurora Township General Assistance round out the local network. Apply Oct 1, 2025 – Aug 15, 2026 through your county provider.
Why Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL Matter in 2026
Aurora is Illinois’s second-largest city, home to over 180,000 residents across four counties: Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will. That multi-county footprint creates a unique challenge for residents seeking utility assistance because the agency that administers LIHEAP in Aurora depends on which county you live in. The good news is that Aurora has one of the more robust utility assistance ecosystems in suburban Chicago, with federal LIHEAP, state Low Income Discount Rates, utility-funded hardship programs, and local Township General Assistance all available to qualified households.
This guide walks through every utility assistance program available to Aurora residents in the 2025-2026 program year, who qualifies, the verified contacts for each agency by county, and exactly how to apply. As an Aurora household, the smart move is to identify your county first, then call your designated LIHEAP provider to get screened for every program at once.
Key Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL at a Glance
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Aurora Kane County residents apply through Community Contacts Inc.; DuPage, Kendall, and Will residents apply through their respective county offices.
Community Contacts Inc. is the Kane and DeKalb County Community Action Agency. Aurora office at 1700 N. Farnsworth Ave., Suite 13. Phone: (847) 697-4400 for LIHEAP, (847) 697-8800 for weatherization.
A new Illinois program providing automatic monthly bill discounts to income-qualified Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, and Ameren Illinois customers. ComEd electric LIDs begin January 1, 2026.
ComEd’s Residential Special Hardship program provides one-time grants to qualifying customers facing hardship, particularly for medical, disability, or temporary income loss situations.
Nicor Gas Sharing Program provides one-time annual grants ($400-$450, varying by age) for qualified Nicor Gas residential customers. Funded by customer and corporate donations.
The state’s centralized LIHEAP application portal at helpillinoisfamilies.com, plus call center at 1-833-711-0374. The single best starting point if you’re unsure which county provider serves you.
Finding Your County’s Provider for Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Aurora is split across Kane (primary), DuPage, Kendall, and Will counties. Your application must go to the LIHEAP provider for the county where you actually live. Sending your application to the wrong agency delays processing by weeks.
Kane County (Most of Aurora)
Most Aurora residents live in Kane County. Community Contacts Inc. is the designated LIHEAP and weatherization provider. Their Aurora office is at 1700 N. Farnsworth Ave., Suite 13, Aurora, IL 60505, with the main office at 100 S. Hawthorne St., Elgin, IL 60123. Call (847) 697-4400 for LIHEAP or (847) 697-8800 for weatherization and housing rehabilitation. Online applications are now available for Kane and DeKalb County residents through cci-hci.org.
DuPage County
Aurora residents in DuPage County apply through DuPage County Community Services at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, phone (630) 407-6500 or 1-800-942-9412. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kendall County
Aurora residents in Kendall County apply through Kendall County’s designated LIHEAP office at 811 John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560, phone (630) 553-9100.
Will County
Aurora residents in Will County apply through the Will County office at 304 N. Scott Street, Joliet, IL 60432, phone (815) 722-0722.
Not sure which county you live in?
Call the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374 or visit helpillinoisfamilies.com. The state will route you to the right county provider based on your address. Alternatively, dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Illinois to reach the statewide referral service.
The 2025-2026 Illinois LIHEAP application window runs from October 1, 2025 through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Applications are accepted first-come, first-served, with priority for seniors, disabled individuals, families with young children, and households facing disconnection.
Eligibility for Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Illinois LIHEAP uses 60% of State Median Income as the threshold for eligibility, which is more generous than the federal 200% Federal Poverty Level standard used in many states. Income is calculated based on gross monthly income for the 30 days prior to application.
Income guidelines for the 2026 program year
If your household’s combined income for the 30 days prior to application (gross income, before taxes) is at or below 60% of State Median Income, you may be eligible for LIHEAP assistance. Income thresholds are updated each program year based on state and federal data. For a four-person household, this typically falls in the range of $5,000-$5,500 gross monthly income, but the exact figure changes annually. Call your county agency for current-year specifics.
Automatic categorical eligibility
You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- SSI through Social Security
Priority groups
The 2025-2026 program year designated October as a priority application period. To qualify in October, your household must contain at least one of:
- A person age 60 or over
- A person age 5 or under
- A person receiving federal disability income
- An active disconnection notice from your utility
- Less than 25% in your propane tank
All other income-eligible households became eligible to apply starting November 1, 2025.
Renters with utilities in rent
Critically, if you rent and your heat is included in the rent, you may still be eligible for a LIHEAP benefit. Many Aurora renters miss this provision and don’t apply when they actually qualify.
Comparing the Top Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Author’s Pro TipDon’t skip the new Low Income Discount Rates. Most Aurora households fixate on LIHEAP and never realize that Illinois’s new LIDs program delivers ongoing monthly discounts on their gas bill (and ComEd electric, starting January 1, 2026) automatically once they’re LIHEAP-approved. The combination of a one-time LIHEAP credit plus 9-12 months of LID discounts often exceeds $1,500 in annual savings. As an Aurora Kane County resident, the right sequence is: (1) apply for LIHEAP through Community Contacts Inc. at (847) 697-4400, (2) when approved, LIDs are automatically applied through your utility, (3) ask about Nicor Sharing or ComEd Hardship for any remaining gap, (4) if you’re in Aurora Township specifically, ask about Township General Assistance for emergency situations.
— Editorial Team, UtilityAssistanceOnline
Facing a Disconnect Notice in Aurora?
LIHEAP applications with active disconnection notices receive emergency reconnection processing through Community Contacts. Call (847) 697-4400 immediately.
How to Apply for Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Step 1: Determine your county and provider
Confirm whether your Aurora address is in Kane, DuPage, Kendall, or Will County. Use the helpillinoisfamilies.com lookup tool or call 1-833-711-0374. Most Aurora residents are in Kane County and will apply through Community Contacts Inc.
Step 2: Choose your application channel
Kane County Aurora residents now have multiple application options through Community Contacts Inc.: apply online at cci-hci.org, call (847) 697-4400 to schedule an in-person appointment at the Aurora office (1700 N. Farnsworth Ave., Suite 13), or visit www.liheap.as.me when scheduling is available. DuPage residents apply through (630) 407-6500. Online applications are increasingly the fastest channel.
Step 3: Gather required documentation
- Proof of 30-day income through pay stubs, checks, or copy of checks for all household members
- Social Security cards, ITINs, or other immigration documents for each household member
- Current heating bill (gas, electric, propane, oil) with account number
- Current electric bill
- Photo ID for head of household
- If renting: copy of lease showing whether heat is included
- If categorically eligible: SNAP, TANF, or SSI award letter
Step 4: Submit and track your application
After submission, Community Contacts staff enter your application and follow up by phone or email if additional documentation is needed. Applications take approximately 30 days to process on average. You’ll receive a letter in the mail in about 45 days after your application is entered. Once you have a seven-digit Application ID (starting with a 7), check status at liheap2025.ilenergyassistance.com/customerinquiry or call 1-833-711-0374.
Step 5: Notify your utility
Community Contacts recommends notifying your utility that you’ve applied for LIHEAP and trying to set up a payment plan. If you receive a disconnect notice while waiting, call Community Contacts immediately so your application can be processed as emergency reconnection assistance. Benefit payments to the utility can take up to 90 days to fully complete, but the LIHEAP pledge protects you during processing.
Beyond LIHEAP: Other Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Several adjacent programs work alongside LIHEAP to ease the broader cost pressure that pushes Aurora households into utility hardship.
Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program
Community Contacts Inc. also administers the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program for Kane and DeKalb County residents. Designed to help eligible households conserve energy and save money while increasing home comfort, the program provides free insulation, air sealing, HVAC tune-ups, and other measures. Apply through (847) 697-8800. For broader context, see our companion guide on weatherization assistance programs in Aurora IL.
Aurora Township General Assistance
Aurora Township provides General Assistance to township residents facing financial hardship, including help with utility bills, emergency rent, and other essential needs. Note that Aurora is divided among multiple townships, so contact Aurora Township first to confirm your residence falls within their service area. Township General Assistance is typically a last-resort emergency program after LIHEAP and other federal options are exhausted.
Two Rivers Head Start Agency
Located at 1661 Landmark Road, Aurora, IL 60506, phone (630) 264-1444, Two Rivers Head Start is a Kane County Community Action Agency that can connect Aurora families with additional support services beyond LIHEAP, including childcare, food assistance, and family case management. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, until 5 p.m. Thursday, and 3 p.m. on Friday.
211 Helpline
Dialing 2-1-1 from any Illinois phone connects you with trained specialists who provide information on every utility assistance program in your area and direct you to local organizations. The service is free, confidential, multilingual, and operates 24/7. For broader strategies on household resilience, see our companion guides on Chicago weatherization programs, mastering your utility bills, and how weatherization works.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL
Who qualifies for Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL?
Households with combined 30-day income at or below 60% of Illinois State Median Income qualify for LIHEAP. SNAP, TANF, and SSI recipients are automatically categorically eligible. Both homeowners and renters can apply. Critically, renters whose heat is included in their rent may still qualify for a LIHEAP benefit.
Where do I apply if I live in Aurora?
It depends on your county. Kane County Aurora residents apply through Community Contacts Inc. at 1700 N. Farnsworth Ave., Suite 13, phone (847) 697-4400. DuPage County residents call (630) 407-6500. Kendall County: (630) 553-9100. Will County: (815) 722-0722. If unsure, call the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374.
How long does the application process take?
Applications take approximately 30 days to process on average. You’ll receive a letter in the mail in about 45 days after your application is entered. The full payment to your utility can take up to 90 days, but the LIHEAP pledge protects you from disconnection during processing.
What are the new Low Income Discount Rates?
Low Income Discount Rates (LIDs) are a new Illinois program providing automatic monthly bill discounts to income-eligible customers of Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas. ComEd electric customers will receive LIDs starting January 1, 2026. Households that qualify for LIHEAP are automatically enrolled in LIDs through their utility, providing 9 to 12 months of ongoing discounts in addition to the one-time LIHEAP credit.
What happens if I miss my application month?
Don’t worry. While October was the priority application month for the 2025-2026 program year (for seniors, disabled individuals, families with young children, and disconnection cases), all other income-eligible households became eligible starting November 1, 2025. The full application window runs through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Apply as early as possible because funds are first-come, first-served.
Can I apply for weatherization through the same agency?
Yes. For Kane County Aurora residents, Community Contacts Inc. administers both LIHEAP and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program through the same office. Call (847) 697-8800 for weatherization and housing rehabilitation, separate from the LIHEAP intake line. Weatherization provides free insulation, air sealing, and HVAC improvements at no cost to qualified households.
Apply for Utility Assistance Programs in Aurora IL Today
- One-time LIHEAP utility credit
- Automatic Low Income Discount Rates
- $400-$450 Nicor Gas Sharing grant
- Free 2-minute eligibility check