Winter heating help in Illinois
In Illinois, the latest HHS table lists a planned fiscal year 2026 heating window. That table was last updated November 25, 2025. A winter 2026-27 opening date was not on the page. Crisis dates and shutoff notes on this page come from the same HHS clearinghouse, and a blank rule stays blank.
Simple answer
The last published heating window for Illinois is 10/1 - 8/15.
That figure is from the FY 2026 plan, updated November 25, 2025. A 2026-27 opening date was not in the table.
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When heating help opens
The latest table we read is planned fiscal year 2026, last updated November 25, 2025. Fiscal year 2026 is October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. A winter 2026-27 opening date was not on that page. Source: FY 2026 State Model Plans. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Heating column for Illinois: 10/1 - 8/15.
The comment says heating was scheduled to start Wednesday, October 1, 2025, for priority groups, and to continue until August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted.
How and where to apply
The energy-help index did not list a downloadable application for Illinois when we read it on October 16, 2026. Use the HHS page and the NEAR number.
The HHS LIHEAP page prints the National Energy Assistance Referral number 1-866-674-6327, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The page shows 2026-08-05. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Crisis or emergency help
Winter crisis column: 10/1 - 8/15. The year-round crisis column was blank. These are FY 2026 plan columns, not a verified 2026-27 crisis season.
Winter shutoff protection
Temperature rule: 32°F and below. Date rule: December 1 - March 31. Named source: Disconnection of Service Code. The table was last updated September 24, 2025. We did not open that commission rule on October 16, 2026.
Cold-weather disconnect table. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Illinois cost and towns · Lost SNAP in Illinois · All states
Last checked: October 16, 2026
Sources
- HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse program dates Table last updated 2025-11-25. FY 2026 State Model Plans.
- HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse cold-weather disconnect policies Table last updated 2025-09-24.
- HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse energy-help index Application file links were not copied.
- HHS LIHEAP program page Prints the NEAR number 1-866-674-6327. The page shows 2026-08-05.
- EnergyHelp.us, named on the HHS LIHEAP page
What changed
- September 24, 2025. The clearinghouse updated the cold-weather disconnect table.
- November 25, 2025. The clearinghouse updated planned FY 2026 program dates. A FY 2027 opening table was not on that page.