Community Economic Development Association (CEDA)
One of the largest private non-profit organizations in the country, CEDA serves 240,000 Cook County residents annually. Over forty programs and services are offered in the areas of child and family development, health and nutrition services, senior citizen programs, economic development, employment and job training, housing services, education services and community development. AAFS is a CEDA-contracted intake site with several caseworkers certified to process various CEDA applications. CEDA offers many programs to help with handling the challenges of energy needs for low-income Cook County residents.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is designed to assist income-eligible households with winter and summer energy services, in the form of one-time payments to utility companies that are applied directly to the household’s energy bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type and geographic location. Applying for CEDA is always free. To apply, please bring the following documents with you to our office: –Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30-day period to the application date –Current copy of heat and electric bills (if you pay for your home energy directly) –Bill must show rates and meter readings –The date of the utility bill must be issued within the last 30 days –Proof of Social Security Numbers of all household members –If a member of your household receives TANF, you must bring their Medical Eligibility Card –Applicants that have their utilities included in the rent must bring proof of rental agreement stating monthly rental amount, that utilities are included, and landlord contact information. (Rent costs must be greater than 30% of household gross income for 30 days prior to application). Visit http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyAssistance.html for more information and income guidelines.
Weatherization
CEDA Weatherization is a year-round program using state-of-the-art technology to make homes more energy-efficient for qualifying low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Weatherization provides safety and health equipment, repairs or replaces heating systems, seals air bypasses and other drafty areas, increases attic, wall, basement, and crawl space insulation. These measures will save energy for homeowners and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Visit http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html for more information and income guidelines.
Furnace
The LIHEAP Furnace Program is ONLY available to qualified LIHEAP applicants. The program only performs work for homeowners or landlords that reside at a property with a non-operable heating system. LIHEAP applicants can apply for the LIHEAP Furnace Program every year as long as the heating system is non-operable. Visit http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyAssistance.html for more information and income guidelines.
