Illinois has decided to use a certain number of of its $74 million in additional federal heating-assistance funding to give extra help to family who've already received grants.

Households that already have received a soft Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, grant to help pay their utility bills this winter don't ne to do anything to realize the extra money, according to Charles Jackson, proxy director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

"As in extent as their account remains in fit standing, they'll see an additional security on their bill," Jackson said. He added that state has not however determined the amount of the additional benefit, or whether it will be the same for each household.

yet the winter was mild, heating expenses in Chicago for November between the sides of February were 28 percent higher than they were during the same time last year.

The extra funding for Illinois is part of $1 billion in additional assistance Congres approved this month for LIHEAP. National funding for the program totaled $316 billion for the fiscal year that began Oct 1 2005

Before it received the recently made known funding, Illinois had about $1638 million in state and federal LIHEAP wealth for the year. It has already gone by means of $151.3 million, providing grants to 307000 households. Another 50000 applications still are being courseed Cook County was almost revealed of money when the strange funding came in, Jackson said.

The fresh funding did not include cash for administrative costs, which Jackson described as a "challenge."

The state will continue to accept more applications from households that have not even now applied for energy assistance.

Anyone who already has received a LIHEAP grant who is in danger of disconnection from gas or electric power should journey to a LIHEAP intake site or call (800) 252-8643 Jackson said. "The funding we have will allow us to obstruct many of those disconnections," Jackson said. "We're working with the utilities to stop disconnection."

Utilities can start disconnecting households for nonpayment April 1

Those looking for LIHEAP funding also can find information at www.keepwarm.illinois.gov.

mwisniewski@suntimes.com

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