ComEd and Peoples Gas Bill Help in Chicago 2026–27: Low-Income Discounts, LIHEAP Dates and Winter Shutoff Rules
Chicago households now have something they didn't have a few years ago: monthly low-income discounts on both their electric and gas bills. Since January 2026, ComEd has offered discounts of 5% to 80%, and Peoples Gas offers 5% to 83%, depending on income. Many families qualify for both, and getting LIHEAP can enroll you in both automatically.
On top of that, CEDA, Cook County's LIHEAP agency, began taking 2026–27 applications on October 1. Illinois's winter rule also keeps many households connected from December 1 through March 31.
This guide explains how the discounts work, how to get them, the LIHEAP calendar and documents, and the shutoff protections to know about if you're behind.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: the Citizens Utility Board's ComEd Low-Income Discount fact sheet (August 2026); the Illinois Commerce Commission's January 2026 issue of "The Wire"; and CEDA's utility assistance page. We couldn't load ComEd's and Peoples Gas's own websites, so confirm details with each utility.
The Short Version
ComEd Low-Income Discount (LID): 5% to 80% off your monthly electric bill if your household income is at or below 300% of poverty.
Peoples Gas low-income discount: 83%, 68%, 45%, 20% or 5%, depending on your income tier, also up to 300% of poverty.
Easiest way in: get LIHEAP. The ICC says LIHEAP-eligible households are automatically enrolled in the gas discount, and CUB says the same for ComEd.
Above LIHEAP's income limit but at or below 300% of poverty? You can still get a 5% discount. For ComEd, you can sign up yourself online.
CEDA LIHEAP: applications opened October 1 for priority households and open to everyone eligible on November 1. CEDA takes them through August 13, 2027, or until funds run out. Call (800) 571-2332.
Reconnection Assistance: up to $2,000 to stop a shutoff or get service back on.
Peoples Gas Share the Warmth: up to $200 toward a past-due Peoples Gas balance.
Winter rule (December 1 to March 31): LIHEAP and PIPP households, electric-heat customers, and military members and veterans can't be disconnected for falling behind.
The ComEd Low-Income Discount
ComEd started its Low-Income Discount (LID) program in January 2026, as required by Illinois's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. According to the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), these discount levels apply from the January 2026 through December 2026 billing periods. Check with ComEd or CUB for the 2027 levels.
Discount by Tier
| Tier (income as % of poverty) | Single-family, non-electric heat | Multi-family, non-electric heat | Single-family, electric heat | Multi-family, electric heat | |---|---|---|---|---| | Tier 1: 0–50% | 80% | 67% | 76% | 58% | | Tier 2: 51–100% | 60% | 21% | 53% | 6% | | Tier 3: 101–150% | 31% | 5% | 25% | 5% | | Tier 4: 151–200% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | | Tier 5: 201–300% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Most Chicago renters live in multi-family buildings, so look at the "multi-family" columns. The biggest discounts go to the lowest-income households.
Find Your Tier: Household Income for the Past 30 Days
| People in household | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | up to $665 | $666–$1,330 | $1,331–$1,995 | $1,996–$2,660 | $2,661–$3,990 | | 2 | up to $902 | $903–$1,803 | $1,804–$2,705 | $2,706–$3,607 | $3,608–$5,410 | | 3 | up to $1,138 | $1,139–$2,277 | $2,278–$3,415 | $3,416–$4,553 | $4,554–$6,830 | | 4 | up to $1,375 | $1,376–$2,750 | $2,751–$4,125 | $4,126–$5,500 | $5,501–$8,250 | | 5 | up to $1,612 | $1,613–$3,223 | $3,224–$4,835 | $4,836–$6,447 | $6,448–$9,670 | | 6 | up to $1,848 | $1,849–$3,697 | $3,698–$5,545 | $5,546–$7,393 | $7,394–$11,090 |
Source: CUB's August 2026 ComEd LID fact sheet. The chart is an estimate. The application confirms your tier.
How to Get It
Tiers 1–4 (up to 200% of poverty): apply for LIHEAP through your local community action agency, which in Chicago is CEDA. CUB says households approved for LIHEAP automatically get the ComEd discount, usually within 1–2 billing cycles.
Tier 5 (201–300% of poverty): apply through your community action agency, or certify your own income online with ComEd's Smart Assistance Manager at ComEd.com/EnergySavings.
How long it lasts: CUB says an approved discount runs for up to 24 months, meaning the rest of the current year plus the next program year. Tiers 1–4 renew by reapplying for LIHEAP. Tier 5 customers get renewal instructions 60 days before their enrollment ends.
There's no charge to apply.
The Peoples Gas Low-Income Discount
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) ordered the big gas utilities to offer low-income discount rates. Peoples Gas uses the same five income tiers:
| Tier | Income (% of poverty) | Peoples Gas discount | |---|---|---| | 1 | 0–50% | 83% | | 2 | 51–100% | 68% | | 3 | 101–150% | 45% | | 4 | 151–200% | 20% | | 5 | 201–300% | 5% |
How to get it: according to the ICC, LIHEAP-eligible households (at or below 200% of poverty) are automatically enrolled, but must apply for LIHEAP every year to keep the discount. If your income is between 201% and 300% of poverty, you can get the 5% discount by reporting your income directly to Peoples Gas.
Peoples Gas: 1-866-556-6001 (from the ICC's list of utility numbers).
North Shore Gas customers (some northern suburbs) get 79%, 60%, 36%, 12% or 5%, according to the same ICC chart.
LIHEAP Through CEDA: 2026–27
The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) runs LIHEAP for Chicago and suburban Cook County.
When to Apply
Priority period, from October 1, 2026: households with someone 60 or older, someone with a disability, or a child 5 or younger, plus households that are disconnected or about to be. If you've been shut off or are about to be, apply through a Partner Intake Site so your application is expedited.
Open enrollment, from November 1: all income-eligible households.
Deadline: applications are first come, first served through August 13, 2027, or until the money runs out.
Who Qualifies
CEDA says this year it's using two income limits:
ComEd, Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas customers: at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Oil and propane customers, and renters whose heat is included in rent (cash assistance): at or below 60% of state median income.
CUB's fact sheet describes LIHEAP as covering households at or below 60% of state median income. CEDA's page is more recent and specific to this season, so if you're near the line, ask CEDA.
What LIHEAP Can Do
Direct Vendor Payment (DVP): a one-time payment credited to your gas and/or electric account.
Reconnection Assistance (RA): up to $2,000 to stop a shutoff that's about to happen or to get your heat or electric service turned back on.
Cash assistance for renters: for people whose heat is included in the rent, as long as rent is more than 30% of household income. Renters who also have a ComEd account may qualify for both cash assistance and a DVP payment toward the electric bill.
Furnace Assistance: vouchers to fix or replace a broken or red-tagged furnace or boiler for homeowners with an approved LIHEAP application. It covers single-family homes, condos, mobile homes and buildings with up to 4 units.
PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) is closed to new enrollees. Current participants can stay in by recertifying and paying on time.
Documents to Have Ready
For every member of the household:
Social Security numbers or ITINs. People without either can still apply, and a Partner Intake Site can help.
Proof of gross income for the past 30 days, including wages, Social Security or SSI, pensions, unemployment, TANF or AABD, cash income, and children's Social Security income.
Your most recent gas and/or electric bill, ideally from the last 30 days. If heat is included in your rent, bring your lease.
How to apply: online at CEDA's site, or through a Partner Intake Site (use CEDA's "Find a Location" tool or call (800) 571-CEDA / 571-2332). CEDA says it decides within 30 days and notifies you by mail. You can check your status at CEDAorg.net/LIHEAPStatus. The statewide LIHEAP hotline is 1-833-711-0374.
Peoples Gas Share the Warmth
CEDA also runs Share the Warmth for Peoples Gas. It pays up to $200 toward a past-due Peoples Gas balance, and CEDA says its income limits now match the state-funded utility limit (300% of poverty).
Winter Shutoff Rules
The ICC says Illinois's winter rule runs December 1 through March 31. During that time:
No disconnection for falling behind if you are a LIHEAP or PIPP participant, an electric space-heating customer, or military personnel or a veteran. Shutoffs for theft, tampering or safety problems aren't covered.
Any residential customer is protected on days when the temperature is forecast at or below 32°F, and on days before holidays and weekends when the forecast is for freezing temperatures.
This is one more reason to apply for LIHEAP early. Being approved for LIHEAP is what puts you in the protected group all winter.
Payment plans: the ICC encourages customers to call their utility about a deferred payment arrangement, which lets you pay off a past-due balance over time, or about a fixed budget billing option.
Where to Get Help With a Dispute
Citizens Utility Board (CUB): 1-800-669-5556, a nonprofit consumer watchdog.
Illinois Commerce Commission Consumer Services: 1-800-524-0795, or file a complaint at icc.illinois.gov.
If You Have a Shutoff Notice Today
Call CEDA at (800) 571-2332, or go to a Partner Intake Site, and ask for Reconnection Assistance (up to $2,000).
Call the utility (Peoples Gas: 1-866-556-6001; ComEd: the number on your bill) and ask for a deferred payment arrangement.
Peoples Gas customers: ask CEDA about Share the Warmth (up to $200).
Check the forecast. If it's at or below 32°F, or it's the day before a weekend or holiday and freezing weather is expected, a shutoff shouldn't happen.
Once LIHEAP is approved, make sure both discounts appear on your next one or two bills. If they don't, call the utility, then CUB.
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