Community Assistance Navigator
The Community Assistance Navigator (CAN) is a free online portal where you can find recommendations that best meet your needs. By answering a few anonymous questions, you can learn about available assistance options and how to connect with them.
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Household Information and Income
Are you currently enrolled, or have you ever been enrolled in any of the below programs in the past 24 months? (Check all that apply)
Are you having trouble paying your gas bill?
Are you 30 days or more past due on your bill?
Are you an active member of the military or veteran?
Recommended Resources
The resources listed below may be helpful based on the information you provided. Please use the information provided to learn more about each offering. Eligibility is determined by each program and is not guaranteed as a result of this recommendation.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Bill Payment Assistance Program
This federally funded program assists eligible low-income households with heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
877.411.9276Sharing 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.
773.205.3520Energy 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 $350 toward their past due balance. This grant does not need to be paid back.
773.205.3520Shield 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.
773.205.3520Two 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.
217.224.8171Rockford 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.
844.710.6919Tri-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.
800.323.5434Champaign 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.
217.384.1226Community 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
800.571.2332Community 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.
847.697.4400Community 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.
217.732.2160DuPage 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.
630.407.6500Kendall-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.
630.553.9100Western 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.
309.837.2997Project 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.
309.793.6391Northwestern 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.
815.232.3141Community 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.
847.697.4400Kankakee 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.
815.933.7883Community 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.
847.249.4330Mid 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.
309.829.0691McHenry 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.
815.338.7752Tazwood 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.
309.266.9941United 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.
211Salvation 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.
773.205.3520Energy 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.
877.886.4239On-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.
877.923.2665Budget 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.
888.642.6748Deferred 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.
888.642.6748Will 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.
815.722.0722Sharing 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.
773.205.3520East 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.
Please note that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) enrollment opens between October 2 and December 1 based on eligibility. The program closes August 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
Salvation Army, Will County, Kankakee, Kane and Dekalb counties are currently out of funding for Energy Aide only. Funding is limited for Energy Aide in all other locations.
Need Assistance?
If you need help navigating the support options that are available to you, the Nicor Gas Community Connection Center (C3) team can assist. Fill out the below form and one of our dedicated team members will reach out to you directly and guide you through the process.
