City Water, Light and Power, the municipal utility serving Springfield, is reminding income-qualified seniors that they may be eligible for a 10% discount on standard electric rates, which could lower their monthly power bills.
Here's what to know
According to NPR Illinois, Eligibility hinges on three factors: the CWLP account must be in the customer's name, the customer must be 62 or older, and household income must be within 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Under the 2026 limits, annual income can be no more than $47,880 for someone living alone or $64,920 for a household with more than one person.
So if a household racks up $120 in standard electric charges in a month, the discount would reduce that bill by $12.
More background
Scott Rogers, CWLP Chief Utility Engineer, said the utility wants to ensure residents know assistance is available.
"We want to make sure eligible customers know this assistance is available and understand how they can receive it," Rogers said.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Mayor Misty Buscher said the discount also reflects one advantage of a community-owned utility.
"As a community-owned utility, CWLP does a good job in looking for ways to serve our residents beyond simply delivering reliable electricity," Buscher said.
What can be done?
CWLP is encouraging customers to reach out directly if they need help understanding the application process or determining whether they qualify.
Buscher added: "Programs like the Senior Citizen Discount are one way we can make a direct difference for customers in our community, particularly those living on fixed or limited incomes."
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
