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Income Eligible Status

Ameren Illinois residential customers who meet the requirements of an income-eligible customer will have deposits for new service and late payment charges waived. If you do not automatically qualify as an income-eligible customer, you can expect these protections after your request is approved.

Request for Waiver of Deposits & Late Payment Charges

Please complete the Income Verification Form and provide the income-eligibility documentation when you submit by email, mail or fax.

     

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Customers Who Automatically Qualify

Ameren Illinois residential customers receiving LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) or PIPP (Percent of Income Payment Plan) benefits under the Energy Assistance Act have been automatically approved for waiver of deposit and late payment charges and do not need to submit a request.

Qualification Criteria

For all other residential customers to qualify, your household income must be 80% or less of Area Median Income (AMI) for your county of residence, or you must be eligible for or currently enrolled in a federal Lifeline program. For more details, please view the application PDF. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements and have an existing deposit, your deposit will be canceled and then either applied to the balance or refunded.

  • The deposit will first be applied to any outstanding balance on your account. If there are any remaining funds, they will automatically be returned to you by check.
  • If your account is current, the deposit will automatically be returned to you by check.

Each year you will be required to recertify your household income to remain eligible for the provisions outlined above.

  • Eligibility established before September 1 is effective through December 31 of that same year.
  • Eligibility established after September 1 is effective through December 31 of the following year.

Ameren Illinois will include a message on your bill prior to your designation expiring. If you do not re-certify, your income-eligible designation will terminate, and you will lose these additional provisions.

Please provide copies of any proof of income documentation to demonstrate income eligibility.

Income-Eligibility Documents:

  • Most recent IRS 1040 form (pg. 1-2) or 1040-SR form (pg. 1-3)
  • Social Security statement of benefits
  • Veterans Administration statement of benefits
  • Retirement or pension statement of benefits
  • Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
  • Divorce decree, child support income, or a similar official document showing household income (summary & signature pages only)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Medicaid
  • Disability
  • Lifeline program enrollment (FCC.gov)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs

Loss of Income Documents (dated within the last 3 months):

  • Layoff/furlough notice
  • Unemployment application, approval letter, or benefit statement
  • Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefit statement
  • Completed No Income Verification Form
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