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November 3, 2008
Naperville, IL – With the US economy shrinking and more and more families in need of assistance to help pay heating costs through the winter, Nicor Gas is urging all eligible customers to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants as soon as possible. Today is the first day of open enrollment for LIHEAP and the State of Illinois has received $265 million from the federal government, an additional $116 million in funds compared to last year, for households in need.
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 Healthcare and Family Services and assists eligible low-income households pay their energy bills. Assistance is presented to qualifying applicants in one annual payment. Income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location determine the amount of assistance. To qualify, household monthly income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federally established poverty level.
For more information or to apply for assistance, call 1-877-411-9276 or visit www.keepwarm.illinois.gov or www.nicorgas.com and click on Financial Assistance.
Some households which do not qualify for LIHEAP funding may still have an option available through Nicor Gas. The Nicor Gas Sharing Program can assist families who may not qualify for LIHEAP but still may need financial assistance.
The Sharing Program is made up of contributions from Nicor Gas customers and employees that are matched up to $175,000 annually by Nicor Gas. The program provides households one-time annual grants of up to $450 to help pay their natural gas bills. To qualify, household monthly income may not exceed 200 percent of the federally established poverty level.
Nicor Gas Sharing Grants are administered by the Salvation Army and applicants must apply in-person at one of their offices. For a list of Salvation Army offices, call 1-888-Nicor4U (1-888-642-6748) or visit the Nicor Gas website at www.nicorgas.com and click on "financial assistance."
While Nicor Gas matches the funds in the Sharing program, it is customers and employees that provide the initial funding. This is why Nicor Gas has renewed its partnership with Jewel-Osco to help families in need with their heating bills this winter season. When customers of any Jewel-Osco make a purchase on the dates listed below, five percent of their total bill will go to the Nicor Gas Sharing Program. All Jewel-Osco shoppers can participate by simply presenting a Shop & Share Coupon to the cashier when they make their purchases.
"In today's economy it can be challenging to donate additional funds to charitable initiatives. The partnership between Nicor Gas and Jewel-Osco is a great way for people to help others without impacting their household budget. All they have to do is shop on the designated days listed below, submit their Sharing coupon and a donation will be made to help a family stay warm this winter," said Claudia Colalillo Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Philanthropy for Nicor Inc. and Nicor Gas.
Coupons are available on the company's Web site at www.nicorgas.com and also in the October Energy Spotlight Newsletter which was mailed to Nicor Gas customers in their latest billing statement. Customers who would like to help can simply cut out the coupons and present them to a Jewel-Osco cashier on any of the following dates:
November
Monday 3rd – Wednesday 5th
Monday 10th – Wednesday 12th
Monday 17th – Wednesday 19th
"Over the past 25 years, Nicor Gas' Sharing Program has provided more than $13 million to help over 76,000 customers," said Colalillo. "There are many families who may be in need of financial help this winter; Nicor Gas is providing one more option to help make ends meet. The Nicor Gas Sharing program helps customers who may not qualify for government aid, but due to their income level or recent misfortune, such as a job loss or change in family status, will need financial assistance to pay their heating bills this winter," Colalillo continued.
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 over 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. | 
