Starting September 1, Programs to Helps Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and Disconnected Customers
NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nicor Gas is encouraging senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those disconnected for non-payment to take advantage of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) early enrollment period which begins Thursday, September 1. Also available on Thursday, is a Nicor Gas program to help customers whose natural gas service is off for non-payment. The Reconnect Program can help customers with restoring their natural gas service by providing a payment plan that requires an initial payment and deferred payments thereafter. Some customers will have the opportunity to use these two programs together by putting their LIHEAP funding toward their initial Reconnect Program payment.
With winter right around the corner, the early enrollment period of September 1st through October 31st, allows senior citizens (60 years plus), persons with disabilities, and those disconnected for non-payment the opportunity to apply to LIHEAP before general enrollment opens to the public on November 1st. The Nicor Gas Reconnect Program which is also available at this time helps customers get their natural gas service restored before the arrival of colder temperatures.
“LIHEAP is an important financial assistance program that helps many families each year,” said Kevin Kirby, Vice President of Customer Care for Nicor Gas. “However, great programs like LIHEAP are ineffective if customers don’t know about them. That’s why Nicor Gas promotes LIHEAP and Nicor Gas’ Reconnect Program through our website and letters to customers. Many customers can make use of the opportunity to receive benefits from one or both programs in conjunction.”
LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. To qualify for assistance, household monthly income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federally established poverty level. For more information or to apply for assistance, call 1-877-411-9276 or visit www.nicorgas.com and click on “Financial Assistance.”
The Reconnect Program allows qualified disconnected residential customers to reconnect their service by paying one third of their past due balance with installments of the remaining balance over the following four months plus current month’s usage. Eligible customers will receive a letter encouraging them to apply. Recipients may enroll in the Reconnect Program by calling 1-800-310-0566. Without the Reconnect Program, customers who have been disconnected for non-payment are required to pay their outstanding bill in full before service can be restored.
Customers are encouraged to read their bills and customer newsletters each month to stay informed about bill payment options, assistance programs, and the national situation on gas costs.
For additional information about managing gas costs, please visit www.nicorgas.com.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for over 50 years. The Company serves more than two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information on Nicor Gas, visit www.nicorgas.com.