Ameren Illinois is offering the opportunity for eligible customers to receive two separate $300 bill credits in October 2025 through its Community Development Workshop program. The energy efficiency program provides direct financial assistance to eligible households while educating members on clean energy programs and possible cost reductions.
Who qualifies for the $300 payments
To be qualified to receive one of the $300 bill credits, participants will have to meet certain requirements. Customers need to have an active Ameren Illinois electric or gas account and household income at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The account owner will have to physically come to the workshop, bringing with him/her his/her Ameren Illinois bill, photo ID, and 30-day proof of income.
For a one person household, the maximum 30-day income is $3,912. Two people are allowed up to $5,289 per month, and three people qualify at incomes of up to $6,663. Four people should have a monthly income of $8,037 or less, five people are qualified at $9,414 or less, and six people get up to $10,788 per month.
October 2025 workshop schedule
Ameren Illinois has scheduled a number of Community Development Workshops throughout the state during October 2025. The first workshop is on October 2, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center, located at 200 South Illinois Avenue. This is the first opportunity for eligible customers to earn a $300 bill credit.
The second workshop to be held on October 9, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center in Exhibit Hall A, 201 Southwest Jefferson Avenue. This is a repeat chance for those customers who are eligible to receive the $300 direct bill credit on their Ameren Illinois account.
How the workshop program works
Members attend brief learning sessions at workshops to become educated on Ameren Illinois clean energy projects and energy-saving opportunities. Workshops have on-site customer service representatives who can view accounts in real-time, provide energy-saving tips, and share information on available program resources.
Qualifying participants receive the $300 bill credit after they have attended the onsite education workshop and spoken with Ameren employees. The credit is applied to their Ameren Illinois account, providing them with immediate relief on energy bills. Seats per workshop are available and provided first-come, first-served.
What services are provided
In addition to the economic benefit, workshop participants are offered access to full-service energy assistance programs. Energy advisors offer one-on-one consultations on how to save future energy expenses and make their homes more efficient. Participants are informed of other programs and services available from Ameren Illinois that assist in managing energy consumption and costs.
The workshops are also an avenue for Ameren Illinois to gather customer feedback to utilize in the planning and development of future programs. The two-way communication allows the utility company to gain more insight about customer demands while providing timely assistance to customers with energy affordability challenges.
Additional requirements and considerations
All workshop attendees are asked to provide some documents to qualify. Some of the essentials include an up-to-date bill from Ameren Illinois, photo identification, and a 30-day statement of income. Pay stubs, Social Security statements, unemployment compensation statements, or other official records of household income qualify.
The workshops are one component of Ameren Illinois broader commitment to support low-income customers through a variety of energy assistance programs. These programs augment other state and federal programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides additional utility bill assistance to eligible households.
Impact on energy bills
The $300 bill direct credit is a direct gain to eligible customers with energy burdens. For households at or below 300 percent Federal Poverty Level, this service by itself can be sufficient to reduce monthly energy bills significantly and settle household budgets. The learning component enables participants to know how to operate energy bills cost-effectively in the long term.
Interested shoppers who wish to participate in either of the workshops should anticipate arriving early, since space is limited and attendance is managed first-come, first-served. The workshops provide both upfront financial assistance and valuable education about existing energy efficiency programs available from Ameren Illinois.
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