Tri-County Opportunities Council is a community action agency serving Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside counties. ============================================== 2025-26 LIHEAP Utility Assistance Details Please call after September 16, 2025 to schedule for October onward. Marshall County LIHEAP Office: 309-246-2200 Stark County LIHEAP Office: 309-286-0001 Putnam County, please use main office line for LIHEAP: 815-625-7830 October Appointments - priority scheduling for: -Seniors (60 & over) -Disabled individuals -Families with children 5 & under -Households disconnected or under imminent threat of disconnection November-Open enrollment for all households. In addition to LIHEAP, Tri-Counties Opportunities Council offers the "Neighbor to Neighbor" program for possible utility assistance.

A thrift shop and community space in East Peoria that takes donated items and gives them away for free. In addition to calling, questions can be asked by-- E-mail: [email protected] or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Enough-Stuff-Thrift-Shop-Community-Space/100039301797247

The Share Closet is a community resale store carrying a variety of clothing, household goods, and other items.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is a community action agency serving Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside counties. ============================================== 2025-26 LIHEAP Utility Assistance Details Please call after September 16, 2025 to schedule for October onward. Marshall County LIHEAP Office: 309-246-2200 Stark County LIHEAP Office: 309-286-0001 Putnam County, please use main office line for LIHEAP: 815-625-7830 October Appointments - priority scheduling for: -Seniors (60 & over) -Disabled individuals -Families with children 5 & under -Households disconnected or under imminent threat of disconnection November-Open enrollment for all households. In addition to LIHEAP, Tri-Counties Opportunities Council offers the "Neighbor to Neighbor" program for possible utility assistance.

Dream Center Peoria offers free household goods for those in need through its HOPE Store.

The City of Peoria offers furnace replacement for eligible homeowners.

The City of Peoria offers numerous services for residents.

The HOPE Chest offers furniture for sale and depending on the situation, can donate items.

The HOPE Chest occasionally offers baby furniture for sale and based on the situation, for donation.

As of fall 2025, Tazwood Community Services, Inc. administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Peoria County. ======================================================== 2025-26 LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program Tazwood Community Services continues to set appointments, as they become available, for 2025-26 LIHEAP Energy Assistance, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-Noon & 1-4 p.m. These initial appointments will be set for October and November 2025. Online scheduling is available at www.tazwoodcs.org/appointments If there are no appointments available when visiting the scheduling system, that means they are filled up for the full 60 days ahead at that time. The scheduling system will automatically unlock and show when appointments are available for the entire program year. IF IN A CRISIS SITUATION, SUCH AS PENDING DISCONNECTION OR ALREADY BEING DISCONNECTED , IT IS RECOMMENDED TO STILL CALL ANYWAY, EVEN IF NO APPOINTMENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE. In addition, customers can either call or go to their local office, but this is ONLY to schedule an appointment. When calling into the office, you might get a recorded message stating that the phones are disconnected, the number cannot be completed as dialed, all circuits are busy, etc. The type of message you receive varies based on your phone carrier. Unless Tazwood makes a post on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064748766860) the phones ARE working. There can be thousands of customers calling on a given day, and Tazwood has around 20 staff answering the phones and scheduling appointments. It is important to remember that LIHEAP runs from October 1, 2025 - August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted. Customers can opt to wait and come in during the winter months if they would like to avoid the rush that that beginning of the program year brings. ================================================= ADDITIONAL LOCATION DETAILS: This office is in the University Professional Center Building. When you enter the parking lot follow it to the BACK of the building. Tazwood LIHEAP is located on the 2nd floor. You will enter through the back entrance where there are stairs and an elevator. Please be advised that the elevator is a little narrow in width. Customers with issues getting into the building or to the 2nd floor, please call (309-690-6500) and a staff member will come down to the lobby to assist you. This office location is on a bus route with a shelter in front of the business next door.

TASC- Smart Start offers baby furniture for their clients.

The HOPE Chest sometimes has appliances in stock for sale, and depending on the situation, for donations.

The Share Closet is a community resale store carrying a variety of clothing, household goods, and other items.

The Fulton County Health Department administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the county. LIHEAP provides energy assistance for eligible low income families in which a benefit is paid directly to the utility companies on behalf of eligible households, or directly to renters if the utility costs are included in their rent. The benefit amount will be credited to the households primary winter heating source (gas vs. electric). The program can also occasionally assist with furnaces. ============================= 2025-26 LIHEAP Currently setting appointments as of September 19, 2025. September & October focus is on older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families with children under the age of six years, AS WELL AS households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25% in their propane tank. ALL OTHER income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2025. LIHEAP runs October 1, 2025 to August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted.

Weatherization services include having an experienced heating contractor examine the heating system. The contractor will make sure the heating system is safe and in working order. Work on the furnace may include-
*Clean and tune
*Repair
*Retrofit
*In some cases, Replacement of the unit

In addition to the listed services, the Women's Care Center also provides the following program: Crib Club/BABE The Crib Club/BABE program provides cribs, diapers, clothing and other baby items under an incentive system that rewards participation in parenting classes, prenatal care and other valuable programs. Coupons are provided which can be redeemed at the Crib Club stores. Women's Care Center provides free, confidential counseling, support and education to women facing unplanned pregnancies. We provide confirmation of pregnancy and ultrasounds, but do not offer ongoing prenatal care or abortions. We serve 23,000 women annually from 24 centers in 8 states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio & Wisconsin.

The City of Peoria offers water heater replacement for eligible homeowners.

Spoon River Pregnancy Center is a pregnancy resource center, offering various forms of assistance. Please note that Spoon River Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

The HOPE Chest offers household goods for sale and can sometimes donate them, based on the need.

The HOPE Chest occasionally sells and based on the need, donates beds.