Community Assistance Navigator

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Bill Payment Assistance Program

This federally funded program provides qualifying households with monetary relief for energy bills. Funds are provided in one lump sum and do not need to be paid back. 

Customers who receive LIHEAP benefits are automatically enrolled in the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program.

Sharing Program

Bill Payment Assistance Program

One-time annual grants are given to qualifying residential customers, with no requirement to be paid back. The Nicor Gas Sharing Program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded through direct contributions from Nicor Gas’ customers and employees. 

Customers who receive Sharing benefits are automatically enrolled in the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program.

Energy Aide Program

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program is administered by select local agencies. Eligible residential customers can receive a grant up to $250 toward their past due balance. This grant does not need to be paid back.

Customers may also apply to receive a discount on their bill through the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program.

Shield of Caring

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Shield of Caring is an emergency assistance and homelessness prevention program. It provides individuals and families in Nicor Gas’ service area with natural gas bill payment assistance and support for other basic needs, including housing, rental and grocery assistance and grocery packages.

Customers may also apply to receive a discount on their bill through the Nicor Gas Low-Income Discount Program. 

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (TRRC) is a non-profit intergovernmental agency that provides a wide range of direct services to low- and moderate-income families in the counties of Adams, Brown, Pike and Schuyler. Those services include emergency shelter and meals, rent, utilities, food, furniture, clothing, scholarships, youth services, housing rehabilitation, weatherization and much more.

Rockford Human Services Department

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The Health & Human Services Department is the designated public Community Action Agency for Winnebago and Boone Counties. Services include community health and prevention, housing programs, community action programs, energy programs and more.

Tri-County Opportunities Council

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Tri-County Opportunities Council serves nine counties in northwest Illinois: Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside. Services include housing programs, LIHEAP, weatherization, child and family development, academic scholarships and more.

Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission is an intergovernmental membership organization that provides a variety of programming in East Central Illinois in the areas of regional, environmental and transportation planning; economic, community, and workforce development; social services; early childhood education; and technical assistance. 

Community and Economic Development Association

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA) is one of the largest private, nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the country, serving residents throughout Cook County, Illinois. CEDA offers a variety of programs and services in the areas of community and economic development, education, emergency assistance, employment and training, energy conservation and services, health and nutrition and housing

Community Contacts (DeKalb County)

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Community Contacts, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit service organization serving DeKalb County helping the elderly, economically disadvantaged, and/or persons with disabilities through programs that focus on housing affordability and assist with housing rehabilitation, domestic energy payments, weatherization of homes and energy conservation. 

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPSIL) is a private, non-profit agency serving low-income residents and seniors in six central Illinois counties. Services include nutrition, personal development, transportation, education, energy services and more.

DuPage County Department of Human Services

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The DuPage County Department of Community services provides services to assist residents in many areas such as housing, utilities, transportation and health services.

Kendall-Grundy Community Action

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Kendall-Grundy Community Action (KGCA) provides a variety of services to residents of both Kendall and Grundy counties. Programs offer assistance to income-eligible families to obtain the opportunities needed to encourage self-sufficiency. Services include energy assistance, weatherization, education services, emergency services and more.

Western Illinois Regional Council

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) offers social service programs to income-eligible residents in Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Knox, and Warren counties in Illinois. Services include clothing, food, homeless prevention assistance, housing, weatherization, energy assistance and more.

Project NOW, Inc

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Project NOW provides a broad range of services to help meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency. Services include kindergarten readiness, utility assistance, food assistance; rent and deposit assistance, transitional housing, permanent, safe, affordable, housing, emergency needs assistance (dental, car repairs), emergency furnace repair/replacement and weatherization services.

Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency

Bill Payment Assistance Program

NICAA is a nonprofit private corporation serving the counties of Stephenson and Jo Daviess in the Northwest section of Illinois. Services include utility assistance (gas, electric, water), rent assistance, meal programs, preschool and limited housing services.

Community Contacts (Kane County)

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Community Contacts, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit service organization helping the elderly, economically disadvantaged and/or persons with disabilities through programs that focus on housing affordability and that assist with housing rehabilitation, domestic energy payments, weatherization of homes and energy conservation. 

Kankakee County Community Services

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Kankakee County Community Services, Inc. (KCCSI) is a nonprofit Community Action Agency with over 15 programs designed to alleviate hunger and homelessness, prepare individuals for the workforce, improve health outcomes, lower energy costs, strengthen families and mitigate crisis.

Community Action Partnership of Lake County

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Community Action Partnership of Lake County serves Lake County, Illinois with programs to help local families find self-sufficiency. Services include scholarships, rental assistance, temporary shelter, food assistance, energy bill assistance, weatherization and affordable housing.

Mid Central Community Action, Inc.

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Mid Central Community Action (MCAA) is a social service agency in McLean and Livingston County that works to educate, equip and empower people to achieve healthy relationships, finances homes and neighborhoods through a variety of resources and counseling services.

McHenry County Housing Authority

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The McHenry County Housing Authority provides assistance to low-income individuals and families to maintain an affordable, sanitary and decent living environment. Services include housing programs, energy assistance, emergency rental assistance, homeowner assistance, dental assistance and scholarships.

Tazwood Community Services, Inc

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Tazwood Community Services, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the causes and alleviating the effects of poverty in Tazewell, Woodford, McLean and Livingston counties. Programs offered include energy assistance, emergency furnaces, weatherization services, housing assistance, employment support and more.

United Way

Basic Needs Program (Rent, Mortgage, Food, etc.) 

United Way is an international network of local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. The 211 network provides local resources to people looking for help meeting basic needs like housing, food, transportation and health care.

Salvation Army

Basic Needs Program (Rent, Mortgage, Food, etc.) 

The Salvation Army is an organization that provides assistance with housing, food, clothing and other basic needs. Resources vary based on location.

Energy Efficiency Recommendation

Energy Efficiency Program

The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program provides free energy-saving home assessments, weatherization improvements, products and more to qualifying customers. These offerings can help customers save money on their energy bills.

On-Bill Financing

Other Ways to Pay and Manage Your Bill

Financing is available to eligible Nicor Gas customers to cover the cost of energy efficiency equipment and improvements in their homes. Installments on the loan are conveniently applied to your monthly Nicor Gas bills.

Budget Plan

Other Ways to Pay and Manage Your Bill

The Nicor Gas Budget Bill Plan provides a convenient way for customers to plan for and pay their monthly natural gas bill. Customers pay a consistent amount every month for a 12-month period, allowing a credit balance to build up and help offset winter bills that may be higher due to increased natural gas usage.

Deferred Payment Arrangement

Other Ways to Pay and Manage Your Bill

If you’re past due on your bill, you may be able to set up a Deferred Payment Arrangement. You pay a set number of monthly installments after the required down payment is made. Brings your bill current, which will allow you to enroll in the Budget Plan, if desired, to avoid unpredictable bills from month to month. Helps you avoid a service disconnection for an unpaid past-due balance so that you can continue to fuel your home uninterrupted with natural gas. 

Will County Center for Community Concerns

Bill Payment Assistance Program

Will County Center for Community Concerns is a not-for-profit organization that offers programs to assist and enable low and moderate income individuals obtain the opportunities needed to prepare themselves for self-sufficiency. Services include utility assistance, housing assistance, weatherization services, individual and family assistance and more.

Sharing Program (Military or Veteran)

Bill Payment Assistance Program

One-time annual grants are given to qualifying active military or veteran residential customers, with no requirement to be paid back. The Nicor Gas Sharing Program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded through direct contributions from Nicor Gas’ customers and employees. 

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency

Bill Payment Assistance Program

The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency (ECICAA) is a nonprofit entity dedicated to combating poverty in Illinois’ Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion counties. Programs include energy assistance, weatherization, crisis services, education services and more.