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December 15, 2004
Naperville, Ill. – Nicor Gas requests that customers consider giving the gift of Sharing this holiday season. The Sharing Program is an assistance program established by Nicor Gas where employees, customers and the general public donate money matched by Nicor Gas, up to $200,000 annually, to help those in need but who are not eligible for government assistance. Sharing provides eligible households one-time annual grants to help pay their natural gas bills.
Nicor Gas customers can make a contribution to the Sharing Program by writing in any amount of donation in the line on your bill stub and adding it to your payment. If your natural gas bill is electronically transferred, you can call 1 888 642-6748 to pledge a Sharing contribution that will be automatically added to your bill each month. If you are not a Nicor Gas customer, please send your check directly to: Sharing, c/o The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 30049, Chicago, IL 60630-0049.
"To date, the Nicor Gas Sharing Program has donated more than $11 million and assisted nearly 70,000 people pay their natural gas bills since the program's inception in 1983," said Julian Brown, manager corporate contributions for Nicor Gas.
"If you are having a difficult time paying your natural gas bill, we encourage you to apply for assistance – the Sharing Program may be an option to help you this heating season," said Brown.
How to Qualify – Sharing Program
To qualify, household monthly income cannot exceed 200 percent of the federally established poverty level. Individuals who receive government assistance through LIHEAP are not eligible. The Salvation Army administered the Sharing Program and determines eligibility. For a list of Salvation Army offices and this year's income guidelines, visit the Nicor Gas Web site and click on "financial assistance." To find out if you qualify, please contact the Salvation Army office nearest you.
"There are other assistance programs, like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), that may help with your energy bills too," continues Brown.
Government Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households pay their energy bills. Assistance is presented to qualifying applicants in one annual payment.
LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Aid and income, household size, fuel type and geographic location determine the amount of assistance. To qualify, monthly income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federally established poverty level. For more information or to apply for assistance, call 1 800 252-8643.
Additional Assistance Programs
There are a number of additional assistance programs specifically to help seniors. To learn more, contact the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Helpline at 800 252-8966 or visit www.state.il.us/aging. Additional assistance programs include:
- Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral
- Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption
- Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
- SeniorCare
- Circuit Breaker Program
About Nicor Gas
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 50 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com. | 
