Shield of Caring is now open to accept applications for 2025. View more details here.
We believe everyone has the right to clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas. You deserve peace of mind when it comes to paying your bill. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and aren’t able to pay your bill, check out our Community Assistance Navigator (CAN) Tool below which includes assistance resources for your financial, as well as basic and energy-savings needs. For additional help understanding your options that may best suit you, contact our Community Connection Center by visiting nicorgas.com/ccc or calling 888.642.6748 to speak to a customer service representative. We’re here to help and support you.
Find local assistance with our Community Assistance
Navigator (CAN) Tool.
Use the CAN Tool to get connected with bill payment assistance programs and other
resources based on your eligibility. The tool will also recommend assistance for basic needs
support and energy efficiency products/services.
Programs We Offer
Low-Income Discount Program
The Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program offers total bill discounts ranging from 5% to 75% to residential customers with qualifying incomes.
Customers receiving LIHEAP, PIPP and Nicor Gas Sharing Program benefits or waivers of deposits and late payment fees are automatically enrolled into this program.
Low-Income Home Bill Payment Assistance
A federally funded bill payment assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income families meet their energy needs during the winter heating season. Contact your nearest Community Action Agency to enroll.
Customers who receive bill payment assistance benefits are automatically enrolled into the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
Through PIPP, eligible Nicor Gas customers pay a percentage of their monthly income to maintain utility service. The PIPP offers an affordable payment plan and a chance to eliminate past-due balances.
Applications currently closed.
Customers who receive PIPP benefits will continue as normal and are automatically enrolled into the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program.
Sharing Program
Nicor Gas Sharing Program, funded by our employees and customers and administered by The Salvation Army, offers bill payment assistance to income-eligible customers, including seniors and veterans.
Customers who receive PIPP benefits are automatically enrolled into the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program.
Energy Aide Program
The Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program provides qualifying households with monetary relief for their natural gas bills. Eligibility is based on several factors, including household size and income. Customers with ono-heat accounts are eligible for this program
Do I Qualify for Bill Payment Assistance?
Different assistance programs have different requirements. The main difference is the household income limit for each program. The table below shows the maximum gross monthly household income amounts to qualify for energy assistance programs. Download PDF
Assistance Programs Criteria & Benefits
|
|
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) |
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) |
Nicor Gas Sharing Program (funded by employees & customers) |
Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program |
Nicor Gas Shield of Caring Program |
|
Program |
October 1, 2024 - August 15, 2025 or until funds are exhausted. |
Closed for new PIPP applicants. |
September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025. |
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.. |
January 20, 2025 - September 30, 2025 or until funds are exhausted. |
|
Eligibility |
Customers must have a combined household gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level* within the last 30 days when applying for program. If approved for LIHEAP, you will not be eligible for PIPP. |
Customers must have a combined household gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level* within the last 30 days when applying for program. If approved for PIPP, you will not be eligible for LIHEAP. |
↗ Customers must have a gas bill in their name and a household gross income between 201 - 300% of the Federal Poverty Level*, which is above LIHEAP and PIPP eligibility, within the last 30 days when applying for this program. |
↗ Customers must be at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Level* within the last 30 days when applying for this program. |
Customers must have a gas bill in their name, a past-due balance and a household gross income less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level* within the last 30 days when applying for this program. |
|
Customer |
↗ Provides one lump-sum grant per program year that does not need to be paid back. |
↗ Allows customers to set up a level payment plan to help eliminate past-due balances. ↗ Payment plans require a minimum monthly payment of 6% of a customer’s monthly gross income. |
↗ Provides one grant between $150 and $400 per program year that does not need to be paid back. ↗ For balances less than $150 the grant amount will be $150. ↗ Veteran grants of up to $150 are provided for customers receiving LIHEAP, PIPP or Sharing grants. ↗ Senior grants for customers 65 and older of up to $150 grant per year. ↗ Customers who receive Sharing benefits are automatically enrolled in the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program. |
↗ Provides one grant up to $250 per program year toward past-due account balances that do not need to be paid back. ↗ For balances less than $250, the total amount of the past-due balance will be paid. ↗ Customers with non-heat accounts are eligible for this program. |
↗ Provides one grant up to $250 per program year toward a past-due account balance that does not need to be paid back. ↗ Customers who may be eligible for additional assistance through other bill payment assistance programs such as LIHEAP or Sharing should apply for those programs before applying for this program to maximize the benefits available to them. ↗ A component of this program supports families with basic needs such as emergency housing and rental assistance, food assistance and case management. |
|
How To |
Contact local Community Action Agencies via 877.411.9276 (WARM). |
Contact local Community Action Agencies via 877.411.9276 (WARM). |
Contact your local Salvation Army office by calling 773.205.3570. Or visit nicorgas.com/ energyassistance for a list of locations. |
Visit the Energy Aide Program section via nicorgas.com/ energyassistance to access the selected local area agencies. |
Complete an application at shieldofcaring.com, or contact your local Salvation Army office at 773.205.3570, or visit nicorgas.com/ energyassistance. |
Energy Assistance Income Guidelines
Bill Payment Assistance Income Guidelines
|
Family Size |
LIHEAP Maximum Monthly Income 200% |
Sharing Maximum Monthly Income 300% |
Energy Aide Maximum Monthly Income 350% |
Shield of Caring Maximum Monthly Income 400% |
|
1 |
$2,510 |
$3,765 |
$4,393 |
$5,020 |
|
2 |
$3,407 |
$5,110 |
$5,962 |
$6,813 |
|
3 |
$4,303 |
$6,455 |
$7,351 |
$8,607 |
|
4 |
$5,200 |
$7,800 |
$9,100 |
$10,400 |
|
5 |
$6,097 |
$9,145 |
$10,669 |
$12,193 |
|
6 |
$6,993 |
$10,490 |
$12,238 |
$13,987 |
|
7 |
$7,890 |
$11,835 |
$13,808 |
$15,780 |
|
8 |
$8,427 |
$13,180 |
$15,377 |
$17,573 |
|
9 |
$8,611 |
$14,525 |
$16,946 |
$19,367 |
|
10 |
$8,794 |
$15,870 |
$18,515 |
$21,160 |
Other Ways Nicor Can Help
Additional Resources & Helpful Links
Contact Us
For additional help understanding your options, finding the right grant or understanding your bill, please call 888.642.6748. We’re here to help and support you.
