PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) today announced they are extending the application deadline for an electric rate relief program that provides assistance of up to $5,000 to individual non-profit and other qualified organizations that have experienced financial hardships due to the higher cost of electricity.
The decision to extend the deadline is to make certain all qualifying organizations have an opportunity to complete and submit an application.
To qualify, a non-profit organization, school, senior center, church or other religious institution must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities customer who has continuously purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities since Jan. 1, 2008. Customers also may qualify if they switched to a third party supplier after August 14, 2009. An organization must demonstrate the higher rates for electricity have caused a financial hardship.
In addition, assistance is available to small independently owned and operated businesses that have 50 or fewer employees and have their principal office in Illinois. A small business also must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities customer who has continuously purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities since Jan. 1, 2008. Customers also may qualify if they switched to a third party supplier after August 14, 2009. A small business must demonstrate the higher rates for electricity have caused a financial hardship.
Applications to the Non-Residential Hardship Fund, which is being administered by the Energy Assistance Foundation, must be submitted no later than Oct. 16. Applications may be completed online by visiting the Ameren Web site (www.ameren.com) and selecting "IL Rate Relief Programs." Applications are available on the ActOnEnergy.com Web site. Applications also may be obtained by calling the Ameren Illinois Utilities: AmerenCILCO and AmerenCIPS - 1-866-629-2318 and AmerenIP - 1-800-287-8349.
Funding for the Non-Residential Hardship Fund was established as part of the comprehensive legislative rate relief settlement.
The Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) have been providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a century. The Ameren Illinois Utilities deliver energy to 1.2 million electric and 840,000 natural gas customers in more than 1,200 communities within a 43,700-square-mile service territory.
SOURCE Ameren Illinois Utilities
SOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities