SHUTOFF NOTICE?Call Ameren Illinois before the date on the notice and ask for a payment arrangement. If someone in the home is seriously ill, ask about a medical certificate. Apply for energy assistance at the same time.
Discount rates and monthly credits
Electric low-income discount (affordability program)
- What
- Starting June 2026, non-space heating customers pay no more than 3 percent of verified monthly income toward electric bills, and space heating customers no more than 6 percent. Enrolled customers are placed on rollover budget billing.
- Who
- Ameren Illinois customers with incomes up to 300 percent of the FPL. LIHEAP households qualify automatically. Others between 201-300 percent FPL self-report income to Ameren.
- How
- Apply through your local community action agency, or self-report income to Ameren Illinois.
Help with a bill you cannot pay
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends
- What
- Bill payment assistance and help with weatherization improvement costs.
- Who
- Moderate income customers.
- How
- Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.
Payment plans and more time to pay
Deferred Payment Agreements
- What
- Pay your balance over time. In winter, the utility must offer a plan with a down payment of at most 10 percent before disconnecting a heating customer.
- Who
- Ameren Illinois customers with past-due balances.
- How
- Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.
Budget billing
Budget Billing
- What
- A fixed monthly payment.
- Who
- Ameren Illinois customers.
- How
- Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.
Free home energy upgrades
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
- What
- State weatherization help for low-income homes.
- Who
- Income-eligible Illinois households.
- How
- Run by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through local agencies.
Other programs
Pick a Due Date
- What
- Choose the day your bill is due.
- Who
- Ameren Illinois customers.
- How
- Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.
Late fee and deposit waiver
- What
- Low-income customers are not charged late-payment fees or required to pay a deposit, and deposits already paid are refunded.
- Who
- Households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level or 80 percent of area median income, or eligible for LIHEAP, PIPP or Lifeline.
- How
- Contact Ameren Illinois, or call the ICC Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795.
State energy assistance in Illinois
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), run by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Community Assistance, helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills (the federal LIHEAP program). Fill out the online Request for Services form at helpillinoisfamilies.com, or apply at your local county agency. Call center: 1-833-711-0374. Applications run October 1, 2026 to August 13, 2027, or until funds run out. Official page.
When the utility cannot shut off service in Illinois
- Cold weather: The rule has a section on disconnection of residential heating services from December 1 through March 31.
- Medical: Temporary (60 days) protection from disconnection in cases of certified medical necessity. The utility sets up a Medical Payment Arrangement.
Rule: 83 Illinois Administrative Code 280. Official text. The protections have conditions: read the rule or ask the utility. You still owe the bill.
To see what your bill should be, use the Ameren Illinois bill calculator. To lower it, see the plans and the appliance cost tool. All programs: Ameren Illinois assistance page.
How can I get help paying my Ameren Illinois bill?
Call Ameren Illinois before the due date and ask for a payment arrangement, apply for energy assistance, and ask about its discount programs (Electric low-income discount (affordability program)). This page lists each program with its official link.
Does Ameren Illinois have a low-income discount?
Electric low-income discount (affordability program): Starting June 2026, non-space heating customers pay no more than 3 percent of verified monthly income toward electric bills, and space heating customers no more than 6 percent. Enrolled customers are placed on rollover budget billing. Ameren Illinois customers with incomes up to 300 percent of the FPL. LIHEAP households qualify automatically. Others between 201-300 percent FPL self-report income to Ameren.
Can Ameren Illinois shut off my power in winter?
The Illinois rule: The rule has a section on disconnection of residential heating services from December 1 through March 31. The rule has conditions, and you still owe the bill.
utilityratecalc.com is not part of Ameren Illinois or a government agency. Programs and amounts change: the official page of each program has the current rules. Checked October 21, 2026.