Tazwood Community Services

Description:

Tazwood Community Services, Inc. is organized for the purpose of reducing the causes and alleviating the effects of poverty in Tazewell and Woodford counties.
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2025-26 LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program

Tazwood Community Services continues to set appointments, as they become available, for 2025-26 LIHEAP Energy Assistance, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-Noon & 1-4 p.m.

Online scheduling is available at www.tazwoodcs.org/appointments
If there are no appointments available when visiting the scheduling system, that means they are filled up for the full 60 days ahead at that time.

IF IN A CRISIS SITUATION, SUCH AS PENDING DISCONNECTION OR ALREADY BEING DISCONNECTED , IT IS RECOMMENDED TO STILL CALL ANYWAY, EVEN IF NO APPOINTMENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FURNACE ASSISTANCE IS A SEPARATE PROGRAM, SO YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD AND CHECK WITH TAZWOOD, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS LISTED ONLINE.

In addition, customers can either call or go to their local office, but this is ONLY to schedule an appointment.

When calling into the office, you might get a recorded message stating that the phones are disconnected, the number cannot be completed as dialed, all circuits are busy, etc. The type of message you receive varies based on your phone carrier. Unless Tazwood makes a post on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064748766860) the phones ARE working. There can be thousands of customers calling on a given day, and Tazwood has around 20 staff answering the phones and scheduling appointments.

It is important to remember that LIHEAP runs from October 1, 2025 - August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted. Customers can opt to wait and come in during the winter months if they would like to avoid the rush that that beginning of the program year brings.
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*Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends, which is for higher income households, also resumes October 1, 2025.
*Tazwood will continue to complete applications to enroll customers in the Low Income Discount Rate (LIDR) if you are an Ameren gas or Nicor gas customer

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Intake Process:

Please call or visit website. Applications can be submitted by email, mail, fax, or drop off.

Program Fees:

None

Languages:

English

Eligibility:

RENT:
*Please note that trailer and lot rent assistance ARE both possibilities, but mortgage and contract for deed assistance ARE NOT.
*To qualify, an applicant must meet one of the following criteria:
-Have a past due notice; OR
-Have an eviction notice; OR
-Be on the verge of homelessness (includes staying with someone and being forced out without housing alternatives); OR
-Be homeless (includes in a shelter; place not meant for habitation; or for families with children, being "doubled-up"/staying in another's household); OR
-Be in a domestic violence or emergency/disaster situation (such as a fire, flood, etc.)
*Must have sufficient income to afford future rent, utilities, and living expenses. Income must be present at the time of application.
*Additional note on rental assistance: In most situations, the duration of assistance is one month. If the situation is domestic violence or a disaster, then both first month's rent AND deposit can be provided.
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ENERGY:
Tazwood offers both the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends:

LIHEAP
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income households in Tazewell, Woodford, Livingston, and McLean counties pay for energy (typically winter) services. LIHEAP will provide a benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location.

An overdue bill or shut-off notice is NOT required. Applicants also do NOT need to own their home or pay energy bills directly to be eligible for assistance. All fuel sources including, but not limited to, oil, propane, wood, natural gas, and electric, are eligible for assistance.

Emergency assistance may be available if the home is disconnected from an energy source needed for heating and/or the delivered fuel supplier has refused to deliver, and the tank contains 25% or less.
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WARM NEIGHBORS, COOL FRIENDS (WNCF)
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends is an energy assistance program for Ameren Illinois Tazewell County Customers that need assistance with bill payment. Woodford County Ameren customers need to contact the Woodford County Heartline for information regarding their program and eligibility requirements.

In order to be eligible for WNCF, you cannot be eligible for LIHEAP/PIPP, the utilities must be active, and in the name of a person living in the household, utility bill cannot exceed $700, as well as meet one of the following criteria:
-A person in the home is 66 years of age or older
-A person in the home is receiving disability
-The household has recently endured a hardship

WNCF is a matching program based on the customers past 30-day payments. More information regarding this will be discussed during screening. Customers can receive assistance once every 6 months/2x per year, traditionally based on a heating/cooling schedule.
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WATER:
*Water bill must be in applicant's name
*Applicant must have a shut-off notice
*If a Pekin resident and seeking water payment assistance, please contact The Salvation Army in Pekin (309-346-3010) BEFORE contacting Tazwood Community Services.
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GARBAGE and SEWER ASSISTANCE
Bill must be in the name of the applicant, and a disconnection/termination notice is required. Maximum of $500 in assistance. May receive help once every 2 years.
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FURNACES:
There are TWO programs--

*LIHEAP Furnace Program: For households currently WITHOUT HEAT and who meet LIHEAP income guidelines (please call).

*Weatherization (this program is not instant; there is a longer process involved)
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PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM
The prescription program can help with up to $1,000 for prescription medication not covered by the medical card (Medicaid) or insurance; or for those who have a high co-pay or no insurance.
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DENTAL PROGRAM
This program can help with up to $1,000 for dental work not covered by the medical card or insurance; or for those who have a high co-pay or no insurance.
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OPTICAL PROGRAM
This optical program will pay for an eye exam and pair of glasses not covered by the medical card, insurance, or for persons with no insurance. Tazewell Community Services partners with Bard Optical for this program.
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HEARING AID PROGRAM
This program helps purchase a hearing aid for income-eligible individuals whose hearing aid would not be covered by the medical card or insurance; OR if they have a high insurance co-pay or no insurance.
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AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR:
*Applicant must be either:
-Working at least 27 hours a week (must have received 2 paychecks and have a letter from their employer stating average hours per week applicant is working
AND that it is a permanent job. Temporary or seasonal employment will NOT qualify if NOT expected to last more than 90 days).
*OR*
-A full-time student.
*OR*
-Age 60 years or older
*OR*
-Disabled and receiving disability income

Up to $1,000 is provided for repairs at approved auto repair shops.
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DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Assistance may be available for those impacted by a fire or natural disaster. Help provided may include shelter, food, clothing, and medications.

Is Shelter?

No

Related Resources

Date of Official Change:

February 16, 2026

Volunteer Opportunities:

Please call.

Address Listings

Contacts

Phone Numbers

Legal Status:

Non-Profit