Who We Help
The Warm Neighbors Cool Friends and recently added Fresh Start programs are administered through the Energy Assistance Foundation and are designed to help low- to moderate-income customers of Ameren Illinois. Typically, a total household income must fall between 200 to 350 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for bill payment assistance. If an applicant received LIHEAP in the same program year, they are not eligible for either of these programs. An applicant must also have experienced some type of recent financial hardship in order to qualify for assistance.
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends offers a helping hand – not a handout. To encourage personal responsibility, this program requires customers to make matching payments on their energy bills. WE WILL NEED PROOF OF YOUR PAYMENT BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION CAN BE PROCESSED. The Fresh Start program does not require a matching payment by the customer.
Income Guidelines
Note: Families must show proof of income. A family's monthly gross income must fall between the below ranges, based upon family size, to qualify.
| Family Size | 30-Day (Gross) Monthly Income Range, 200-350% of Federal Poverty Level |
| 1 | $2,127 -$ 3,722 |
| 2 | $2,873 -$ 5,028 |
| 3 | $3,620 -$ 6,335 |
| 4 | $4,367 -$ 7,642 |
| 5 | $5,113 -$ 8,948 |
| 6 | $5,860 -$10,255 |
| 7 | $6,607 -$11,562 |
| 8 | $7,353 -$12,868 |
| 9 | $8,100 -$14,175 |
| 10 | $8,847 -$15,482 |
