ENERGY SERVICES

Helping Keep Your Home Safe, Comfortable & Affordable

Project NOW helps eligible households manage energy costs, stay connected to essential utilities, and improve the comfort and efficiency of their homes.

Get Energy Assistance

Explore Energy Programs

Not sure which program you need?
We’ll help you find the right place to start.

How Can We Help?

Energy needs look different for every household. Choose what you’re looking for below and we’ll help you find the program that may be right for you.

Help Pay Energy Bills

Get help with heating and electric costs through available energy assistance programs.

Get Energy Bill Assistance

Heat & Furnace Help

Get help when your furnace isn’t working or your home doesn’t have adequate heat.

Explore Furnace Help

Additional Energy Assistance

Learn about additional assistance that may be available when traditional energy assistance isn’t the right fit.

Additional Assistance

Help Me Save on Energy Bills

Discover improvements that can make your home safer, more comfortable and less expensive to heat and cool.

Explore Weatherization

ENERGY PROGRAMS

Find the Right Energy Program

Learn more about Project NOW’s energy assistance programs and the types of help available through each.

What it is:
LIHEAP helps eligible households manage home energy costs and maintain safe, reliable utility service

Assistance may include:

Direct Vendor Payment (DVP): A one-time benefit paid directly to an eligible household’s utility account. Customers do not have to be behind on their bill to receive assistance.
Reconnection Assistance (RA): Additional assistance for households facing utility disconnection or needing service restored.
Cash Assistance for Renters: A cash benefit for eligible renters whose heating utilities are included in their rent.

Who may qualify:
Eligibility is based on household income and other program requirements. Assistance and income guidelines may change by program year.

Check Eligibility & Apply →

What it is:
Furnace Assistance helps eligible homeowners address heating systems that are unsafe or no longer operating.

Assistance May Include Repair or replacement of an inoperable heating system.

Homes may be eligible if they:

Have an approved LIHEAP application
Own and live in the home
Have a non-operational or utility red-tagged heating system
Eligible once every 10 years.

Learn About Furnace Assistance →

What it is:
Project NOW’s Weatherization Program helps eligible households reduce heating and cooling costs through energy-saving improvements and home repairs. A home energy audit identifies opportunities to improve energy efficiency, comfort, safety and long-term savings.

Services may include:

Air sealing and weather stripping
Attic and wall insulation
Minor window repairs
Furnace inspection, cleaning, tune-ups and repairs
Refrigerator energy-efficiency assessment and replacement
In some cases, furnace replacement

Services are determined by the results of the home’s energy audit.

Who it’s for:
Income-eligible households in Rock Island, Henry and Mercer Counties. Renters may also qualify when their landlord agrees to participate. Services are provided at no cost to eligible households.

Explore Weatherization →

What it is:
Available to qualifying Ameren Illinois customers in Henry, Mercer and Stark counties.

With assistance of up to $500 during the heating season and $500 during the cooling season, with a qualifying customer payment required. It is designed for households whose incomes may be too high for federal assistance but who are still experiencing financial strain.

Explore Options with Ameren →

I CARE
Designed to help households experiencing urgent heating crises within the MidAmerican Energy service area. Assistance of up to $700 per year, subject to eligibility and available funding.

JCE Co-op CARE
For eligible JCE Co-op members with active electric and/or natural gas service. Assistance of up to $1,200 within a 12-month period and subject to eligibility and available funding.

Explore Additional Options →

ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION

Wonder If You Qualify?

You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Complete Project NOW’s online eligibility form and provide the requested documentation. Our Energy Services team will review your information and determine which assistance may be available to your household.

Check My Eligibility

Have questions or need help completing the process? Contact our Energy Services team.

7,603

Approved Applications in 2026

.69%

Denial Rate (Less Than 1%)

$7,073,132

Funds Paid To Utility Provider

DOCUMENTS YOU’LL NEED

Be Ready Before You Apply

Having your documents ready can help your application move through the review process more quickly.

Household identification

SSNs or ITINs may be requested for household members. If neither are available just call us.

PROOF OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Gather income documentation for household members from the past 30 days including households with zero income.

HOUSING & UTILITY INFORMATION

Have your most recent heating and electric bills available.

Additional documents may be needed.
Renters with heating costs included in rent and furnace assistance applicants may need additional documentation.

Start My Application

Why IT MATTERS

Energy Assistance Creates Stability at Home

Keeping utilities connected is about more than paying a bill. Reliable energy helps households remain safe, comfortable and stable at home.

Keeping Essential Utilities Connected

Helping households maintain reliable heating and electric service.

Protect Health & Comfort

Reliable heating, cooling and functioning equipment help create safer homes.

Make Energy Go Further

Weatherization improvements can reduce energy use while making homes more comfortable.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions About Energy Assistance?

We know energy assistance programs can feel complicated. Find answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

Not necessarily. Some Energy Services programs can provide assistance even if you are not currently behind on your utility bill. Eligibility and available assistance depend on the program and your household circumstances.

Assistance may be available to help restore heating or electric service. Complete the eligibility and application process as soon as possible so our Energy Services team can determine what assistance may be available.

Eligible renters whose heating costs are included in their rent may qualify for Cash Assistance. You may be asked to provide a rental agreement showing your monthly rent, included utilities and landlord contact information.

You may still apply. If you or someone in your household does not have an SSN or ITIN, contact our Energy Services team with questions about completing your application.

Furnace Assistance may be available to eligible homeowners with a non-operational or utility red-tagged heating system. An approved LIHEAP application and additional documentation may be required.

Documentation varies depending on the assistance requested, but you may need household identification information, proof of household income from the past 30 days, current heating and electric bills, and applicable housing documentation.

Processing time depends in part on whether all required information and documentation have been submitted. Providing complete, accurate documents when you apply can help your application move through the review process more efficiently.

Generally, 30 days are required to process from the date when all required documents are received.

You don’t need to figure that out on your own. Complete the eligibility form and provide the requested information. Our Energy Services team will review your household’s circumstances and determine which assistance may be available.

Yes. If you have questions about the application or the documents you need, contact Project NOW’s Energy Services team at (309) 793-6391.

NEED A LITTLE HELP?

We’re Here to Help You Get Started.

Have questions about Energy Services, your application, or the documents you need? We’re here to help.

Start My Application Call (309) 793-6391

Not sure which program you need? Start with the eligibility process, and we’ll help determine which assistance may be available.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS

Made Possible Through Partnership

Project NOW Energy Services are supported through federal, state, utility and community partnerships that help make energy assistance available to households throughout our service area.