Nicor Gas Sharing Program
One-time annual grants are given, with no requirement to be paid back, to qualified residential customers who meet the required income guidelines. The Nicor Gas Sharing Program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded through direct contributions from Nicor Gas' customers and employees.
Eligibility and How to Apply
To apply, visit your local Salvation Army office in person. We recommend you call ahead to make an appointment and to find out about the paperwork you'll need to take along.
If you're approved for a Sharing Grant, the Salvation Army will make payments to Nicor Gas on your behalf.
Eligible customers can receive a Sharing Grant up to $350 or $400 based on the overall account balance on the account. Elements of the Nicor Gas Sharing Program differ depending on age, so please view the appropriate Q&A for detailed information below.
Crisis Situations
Sharing grants will be available for eligible customers who meet the guidelines for the following situations:
- For Crisis Situations it will require company approval and customers must meet income guidelines of 150% to 300% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Crisis situations could include:
- Customer with an inactive account, where grant amount will cover entire balance for reconnection of service. (Forms of payment will be required)
- An increase of medical expenses that prohibits a customer to pay his/her bill. Account must be active or grant amount is enough to reinstate service if account is inactive.
Loss of full-time income from spouse due to death or divorce. (To also include loss of job based regular household income)
Veterans
For Veterans they must provide the following information.
- Must show military papers
- Must meet income guidelines up to 300% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Gas bill must be in the applicants name
- Must have a picture ID
- Maximum grant amount up to $200.00
- Can receive a LIHEAP grant and still be eligible
- A good faith payment is not required
- Customer cannot receive both Veteran Grant and a regular Sharing Grant
Nicor Gas 2019-2020 Sharing Program Income Guidelines
To qualify for a Sharing grant, your income must fall between these amounts:
|
Family Size |
Minimum Gross Monthly Income 200% |
Maximum Gross Monthly Income 250% |
Maximum Gross Monthly Income 300% |
|
1 |
$2,128 |
$2,658 |
$3,190 |
|
2 |
$2,874 |
$3,592 |
$4,310 |
|
3 |
$3,621 |
$4,525 |
$5,430 |
|
4 |
$4,368 |
$5,458 |
$6,550 |
|
5 |
$5,114 |
$6,392 |
$7,670 |
|
6 |
$5,861 |
$7,325 |
$8,790 |
|
7 |
$6,608 |
$8,258 |
$9,910 |
|
8 |
$7,354 |
$9,192 |
$11,030 |
* Total amount earned before taxes and deductions.
*For families/households with more than 8 persons under 18, add $540.00 for each additional persons.
Salvation Army Offices & Other Application Locations
Locations
|
|
|
|
437 E. Galena Blvd. |
300 3rd Ave. |
|
422 S. Main St. |
148 N. Harrison Ave. |
|
601 W. Washington St |
8354 W. Foster Ave. |
|
2900 W 127th St, |
516 W. Madison St. |
|
2337 S. Laramie Ave. |
112 N. Division St. |
|
290 W. Crystal Lake Ave. |
501 Broadway St. |
|
830 Grove St. |
Social Services Department |
|
316 Douglas Ave. |
409 Avenue F |
|
1403 Sherman Ave. |
126 S. Bloomington St. |
|
106 W. Exchange St. |
1 S. 415 Summit St. |
|
690 W Dempster St. |
850 S. Green Bay Rd. |
|
1710 S. 7th Ave. |
502 N Prospect Ave. |
Sharing Grant Offices
|
|
|
|
Village of Arlington Heights |
Freemont Township |
|
Cuba Township |
Prevail |
|
Elk Grove Township |
Rock River Center |
|
Health & Human Services |
Palatine Township |
|
Bloom Township |
Thornton Township |
|
Office of Citizen's Services |
Avon Township |
|
Southland Ministerial Health Network |
Together We Cope |
|
Monee Township |
Hanover Township |
|
Kendall/Grundy Community Services |
Kuzma Care Cottage |
|
Proviso Township |
Kendall County Human Services |
|
McHenry Township |
Vision of Restoration Inc. |
|
We Care of Grundy County |
Naperville township |
|
Orland Township |
Plainfield Township |
|
Troy Township |
First Baptist Church |
|
Dorr Township |
Lemont Township |
|
Victory Christian Assembly Church |
Outreach Community Ministries |
|
|
|
In addition, you can apply for a Sharing Grant at any of these offices between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Q&A For Customers 65 and Over, including disabled customers 65 and over
What are the changes to the Sharing Program?
Approved customers ages 65 and over may receive a grant up to $400 based on the overall account balance. If the customers balance is less than the maximum grant, they will receive the amount owed. A minimum grant of $125 will be applied if the overall account balance is less than that amount.
How does the Sharing Grant work?
Step 1: Customers will have made a good faith payment of $25 within the last 60 days.
Step 2: If you meet the criteria and your completed application is approved, you may receive a grant of up to $400, depending on your age.
I don't have any money to contribute to paying down my balance. Can I still receive a Sharing grant?
Yes. If you made a $25 good faith payment within the past 60 days, meet the eligibility guidelines and your completed application is approved, you may receive a grant of up to $400.
Can you help me calculate exactly how much I could receive from a Sharing grant?
Unfortunately, no. The Salvation Army administers the Sharing Program, and they will be able to assist you.
How do I qualify?
The Salvation Army administers the Sharing Program and determines if you are eligible. However, you must:
- Be a residential heating customer of Nicor Gas with a payment due.
- Be ineligible for state or federal energy assistance programs.
- Have an annual gross income above 150 percent but not exceeding 250 percent of the federally established poverty level.
- Customer will have had to make a good faith payment of $25 within the last 60 days.
How do I apply?
You must apply in person at your local Salvation Army office. We recommend you call ahead to make an appointment and to find out about the paperwork you'll need to take along.
Can I apply for more than one Sharing grant, or can my spouse also apply?
No, only one Sharing grant is awarded per qualifying family. You can apply for a Sharing grant once per year.
Q&A for Customers Under 65, including disabled customers under 65
What are the changes to the Sharing Program?
Approved customers under age 65 may receive a grant up to $350 based on the overall account balance. If the customers balance is less than the maximum grant, they will receive the amount owed. For disabled customers only, a minimum grant of $125 will be applied if the overall account balance is less than that amount.
How does the Sharing Grant work?
Step 1: Customers will have to make a good faith payment of $25 within the last 60 days.
Step 2: If you meet the criteria and your completed application is approved, you may receive a grant of up to $350.
I don't have any money to contribute to paying down my balance. Can I still receive a Sharing grant?
Yes. If you made a $25 good faith payment within the last 60 days, meet the eligibility guidelines and your completed application is approved, you may receive a grant up to $350 depending on your age.
Can you help me calculate exactly how much I could receive from a Sharing grant?
Based on eligibility you can receive up to $450 if approved, any credit remaining on the account will be used towards future bills. The Salvation Army administers the Sharing Program, and they will be able to assist you (see Salvation Army Offices locations above for more information).
How do I qualify?
The Salvation Army administers the Sharing Program and determines if you are eligible. However, you must:
- Be a residential heating customer of Nicor Gas
- Be ineligible for state or federal energy assistance programs, with the exception of Veterans
- Have an annual gross income above 150 percent but not exceeding 250 percent of the federally established poverty level. Crisis and Veterans range between 150 percent to 300 percent of the federally established poverty level (see Income Guidelines above).
How do I apply?
You must apply in person at your local Salvation Army office (see locations above). We recommend you call ahead to make an appointment and to find out about the paperwork you'll need to take along.
Can I apply for more than one Sharing grant, or can my spouse also apply?
No, only one Sharing grant is awarded per qualifying family. You can apply for a Sharing grant once per year.
