Early applications available for Illinois heating help

Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois families and residents eligible for winter heating assistance should apply early for the federally funded program.

Early applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be available beginning Tuesday. Quinn says he encourage eligible residents to apply so "they can stay safe, warm and healthy this winter."

Under the program, heating bill payments are made to utilities on behalf of households. In Illinois, households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible.
The governor's office says this year the program is expected to spend $150 million to aid 300,000 households this winter. More information is available by calling 1-877-411-WARM.

The Associated Press