Resource Directory /

Marion Resources

  • Ameren Illinois Economic Hardship Recovery Program

    Ameren Illinois’ Economic Hardship Recovery Program provides information on various energy assistance programs, payment options and tips on lowering your utility bill.

    This step-by-step resource includes information on:

    • Assistance paying your energy bills, applying for financial assistance and eligibility guidelines
    • Exploring payment options
    • Tips for lowering future energy bills and energy efficiency programs

    Click here for a list of assistance programs statewide, including Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF), a program designed to help moderate-income seniors and families who have temporarily experienced a hardship but may not meet the guidelines of government programs.

    For more information, contact Ameren Illinois at (800) 755-5000 (residential customers) or (800) 232-2477 (business customers).

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

    The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).

    Additionally, you will also qualify for assistance with your water and wastewater bills if your household is disconnected, in threat of disconnection or if you are more than $250 in arrears on your current bill.  You will apply for Low Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWAP) at the same time you complete your current LIHEAP application.

    Due to COVID-19 precautions, some local agencies are closed to the public, but applications may be made remotely.

    To help find an office serving your area, visit this complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county.

    For more program information, get the Help Illinois Families flyer, check out the frequently asked questions or call the LIHEAP hotline at (877) 411-WARM (9276).

    Local agencies may offer different types of LIHEAP assistance depending on funding availability and the utility service area.

  • American Sign Language Lessons

    If you are interested in learning or practicing the basics of American Sign Language (ASL), these sites provide free lessons to get you started:

    There are also free YouTube videos available to help you learn, practice and supplement your sign language instruction:

  • Cued Speach Program for Families of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children

    Cue College’s Cue Family Program provides a free, online Cued Speech class to families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

    Cued Speech combines a small number of simple hand cues with the natural mouth movements of speech to make the sounds or “phonemes” of spoken language clear through vision alone.

    The Cue Family Program includes free access for one year to the online Cue College course, “CS100 – Introduction to Cued American English – Self Study”, for parents, guardians, additional family members and caregivers of a child with hearing loss or other communication challenges.

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments and COVID-19 Financial Assistance

    The Social Security Administration updated its rules about what financial assistance can affect an individual’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or their monthly SSI payment amount.

    The administration no longer counts Economic Impact Payments, State Stimulus Payments and other COVID-19 financial assistance against an individual’s eligibility or payment amount. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website for the full list of financial assistance programs that do not affect SSI eligibility or payment amounts.