Looking for ways to get free stuff from Amaren Illinois? We’ve found a few programs that will help you get freebies, as well as some great ways that you can save money on your monthly utility bills.
Get Free Stuff from Amaren Illinois
Amaren doesn’t necessarily publicize the freebies that they offer. However, we have found several secret deals for you!
FREE Home Energy Assessment
The Home Energy Assessment is an incredible tool that can help you drastically reduce your monthly bills. An Energy Advisor will review your home energy’s performance and can even install FREE energy-efficient products in your home!
You may qualify for a free home energy assessment if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in a single family home.
- You are a residential Amaren Illinois customer.
- You meet income guidelines.
FREE Smart Thermostats
There are many ways that you can get a free or low-cost smart thermostat. The company lists 6 different ways that you can get one. One of those options is through the Instant Savers Assessment.
The Instant Savers Assessment appears to be different than the home energy assessment we’ve already told you about. For details, you’ll need to visit the EEP website.
FREE Stuff in the Online Marketplace
You can sometimes find free stuff from Amaren Illinois in the Amaren Marketplace! This online store sells all sorts of energy-efficiency products, many of them subsidized or discounted by Amaren. In some cases, the subsidies and discounts make those products completely free!
For example, you can get a Google Nest Thermostat for as low as $0 when you order by April 26, 2023.
FREE Student Energy Education Kits
Teachers can request free Student Energy Kits from Amaren Illinois. These kits include energy and water-saving devices that students can take home, as well as presentations, curriculums, posters and activity guides to strengthen the lessons!
Teachers can request these free kits in the Spring and Fall. You have to email the company in order to receive the kits.
Watch the Inserts for More
Your billing insert can contain important information about giveaways and other money-saving opportunities! For example, in December 2016, Ameren Illinois customers were notified that they could receive 4 free LED bulbs before the end of the month!
Although that offer has expired, you may find helpful information and additional ways to get free stuff from Amaren Illinois when you read the monthly bill inserts.
Save Money on Your Bill
If you need help paying your Amaren bill, you’re not alone. Many low income residents have struggled to keep up with their utility bills, and there are programs that can help.
Statewide Assistance Programs
Many of the best programs that can assist you with your Amaren Bill, like LIHEAP and PIPP, are statewide programs. Because we report on a lot of different utility companies, we’ve decided to condense all of these statewide assistance programs in a separate post.
Don’t miss this list of Illinois electric bill assistance programs!
Church of the Brethren Community Assistance
According to Amaren, the Church of the Brethren in Canton offer a Community assistance program that can help you pay your bill.
Love Inc.
Love INC in Canton may be able to help you with your Amaren Illinois bill as well! You will need to contact their organization for assistance.
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends
Many Amaren Illinois customers may be eligible for assistance from Warm Neighbors Cool Friends! This program provides financial assistance for middle-income residents who make too much for LIHEAP but still need help with their bill.
They can provide grants for up to $500 as well as weatherization assistance to those who meet their income guidelines.
Amaren Illinois Bill Pay Options
It’s a even easier to get generous bill pay arrangements than it is to get free stuff from Amaren Illinois! This company has a lot of different options that make it easier to pay your bill.
Budget Billing
Pay a consistent monthly amount with Ameren’s budget billing plan. With this arrangement, your total usage from the last year is divided evenly across 12 equal monthly payments. Your account is reviewed on the 4th and 8th month to ensure that the amount you are paying is reasonable compared to your actual usage.
Of course, there’s a chance that the amount you pay each month will not be equal to the amount you actually owe. Amaren offers a rollover option, so that the balance continually accrues, or a settlement option that ensures the balance is settled every year. Under the settlement agreement, you pay an equal amount for 11 months and then, during the 12th month, you pay the actual amount of your usage plus any outstanding debt (or minus any credit that has accrued).
To be eligible, your Ameren account must be in good standing and must have a 12 month history. If your property is newly constructed or has been vacant for a long period of time, you may not be eligible for this program.
Due Date Changes
You can choose your own due date with the Pick a Due Date option. This allows you to choose the day of the month that works best to receive your bill.
You can do this online after you log into your account.
Payment Arrangements
Amaren will allow you to pay your balance over several months under some circumstances. This will add a fixed monthly payment to your regular bill. To begin a payment agreement, you will need to make a down payment of 10% of the past due balance (if you are starting the arrangement between December 1 and March 31) or 25% of the past due balance (if you are starting the arrangement between April 1 and November 30).
If you default on your payment arrangement, it can be reinstated by making up your missed payments. However, this option may not be available if your service has already been disconnected due to nonpayment.
Income Eligible Status
If you meet income guidelines, you can have your deposits and late payment charges removed! This program helps people who qualify for PIPP and LIHEAP avoid late charges.
Even if you don’t receive those benefits, you may be eligible if you have a household income that is equal to 80% of the Area Median Income for your county. You will need to fill out an application.
If you’ve already paid your deposit but you are eligible for this program, you could have your deposit cancelled and refunded to you.
Summary
In this article, we’ve shown you how to get free stuff from Amaren Illinois and how to get help paying your Amaren bill! The organizations and options in this article will help you save money, get free stuff and live more comfortably in your home. Don’t forget to check the Amaren Marketplace frequently to see if more free products have been added!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.