CHICAGO — Peoples Gas announced a $5 million donation today to the Share the Warmth program, which provides heating grants to Chicago households that have lower incomes. Share the Warmth grants can be used by customers to pay their monthly heating bills. This donation will help more than 25,000 customers who need assistance.

“We know our customers count on us every day to provide the energy they need and we are here to help,” said Torrence Hinton, president — Peoples Gas. “This donation is part of our commitment to help customers manage their bills this winter and all year long.”

With this donation, Peoples Gas has provided more than $15 million to the Share the Warmth program in the past five years.

Besides Share the Warmth, customers with lower incomes may qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. Both programs offer financial assistance to help eligible customers pay their energy bills. The State of Illinois is expected to have more than $340 million in low-income assistance available this winter for these programs. The assistance programs are administrated by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). Applications for these programs are now open. Customers can learn more and apply online at cedaorg.net or by calling 800-571-2332.

Flexible payment and budget billing programs

In addition to financial assistance, Peoples Gas offers flexible payment arrangements and budget billing programs to help all customers manage their heating costs.

With flexible payment arrangements, residential customers who are behind on their bills can pay off their balances over extended periods of time.

The Peoples Gas budget plan eliminates the highs and lows of customers’ energy bills. The plan spreads costs evenly into 12 equal monthly payments based on the estimated annual cost.

Peoples Gas is available by phone from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, to talk with customers about these options. Customers should call 866-556-6001 to talk with a Customer Care representative.

Customers can also use self-service through peoplesgasdelivery.com or through the Peoples Gas mobile app 24 hours a day, seven days a week to set up a payment arrangement.

Save energy, stay comfortable and save money

All Peoples Gas customers are eligible for a free home energy assessment and installation of free energy-saving products.

Customers should go to peoplesgasdelivery.com or call 866-556-6001 for more information.