Ameren Illinois Rate Relief Program
Hardship Assistance for Non-Residential Customers
The Ameren Illinois Utilities Non-Residential Hardship Assistance program provides one-time, special assistance for electric non-residential customers, such as not-for-profit organizations, religious institutions, schools, senior centers and small business owners, to address financial hardships resulting from changes in Ameren’s rates in 2007.    Program applicants will be evaluated by the Energy Assistance Foundation to determine program eligibility. Qualifying customers will receive assistance in the form of a one-time credit. Assistance of up to $5,000 per account may be provided.
Program Eligibility Guidelines
	Not-for-Profits, Religious Institutions, Schools or Senior Centers must:
	-		Have active, non-residential electric service at the time of receiving the hardship credit.
	-		Be an Ameren Illinois utility electric customer as of June 1, 2006.
	-		Be able to prove not-for-profit status.
	-		Demonstrate that the organization or business is experiencing a financial hardship due to the Ameren electric rate increase.
	-		Complete the program application and supply the required information during the application period.
	Small Businesses
	A small business is defined as:
	-		Having 50 or less employees
	-		Being independently owned and operated
	-		Having its principle office located in Illinois
	Applicants for small businesses must:
	-		Have active, non-residential electric service at the time of receiving the hardship credit.
	-		Be an Ameren Illinois utility electric customer since June 1, 2006.
	-		Have experienced at least a 10 percent increase in their electric bill from 2006 to 2007.
	-		Demonstrate that the business is experiencing a financial hardship due to the Ameren electric rate increase.
	-		Complete the program application and supply the required information during the application period.
Application Process
The application process for small business and non-profit customers has been extended through Nov. 30, 2007. Before applying for this program, please review the terms and conditions.      All applications that meet the above requirements will be reviewed by the Energy Assistance Foundation, and they will make the final determination of who will receive the funds. Notification of application status will be provided by the Energy Assistance Foundation within 30 days after the program end date.    Non-residential electric customers may obtain the application form from this site or by contacting their Ameren Illinois utility.
Application Form
	A separate application must be submitted for each Ameren account.
	Obtain form online: Print and complete the application form. Then submit it by U.S. mail or fax to the following:
				AmerenIP Customers:		AmerenIP Attn: Energy Assistance A-10 P.O. Box 2543 Decatur, IL 62525    Fax: 217.424.6496
				AmerenCIPS and AmerenCILCO Customers:		AmerenCIPS or AmerenCILCO Attn: Energy Assistance 2105 E. State Route 104 Pawnee, IL 62558    Fax: 314.992.6941
	Request form from Ameren: Call your Ameren Illinois utility provider to request a Non-Residential Hardship Assistance form.
					AmerenCILCO:	866.629.2318
					AmerenCIPS:	866.629.2318
					AmerenIP:	800.287.8349
More Information
The Ameren Illinois utilities have contracted with the Energy Assistance Foundation (EAF) to administer this program. EAF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing bill payment assistance and home weatherization for qualifying customers. If you have questions about your application, please contact EAF at energyassistancefoundation@yahoo.com or 888.690.5700.