The Ameren Illinois Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program is part of the Energy Assistance Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1982 by Illinois Power. The program provides bill payment assistance and home weatherization for qualifying Ameren Illinois customers.
   
Working with local agencies in Ameren Illinois' service territory, grants are available for those in danger of losing their primary heating supply. Since its inception, the program has helped weatherize more than 5,500 homes and provided heating assistance to over 76,000 households.
  
The program is designed to help those who generally do not qualify for federal or state heating assistance. Ameren Illinois, its employees and customers provide funding for the program. Every dollar contributed to Warm Neighbors Cool Friends goes directly to help pay heating bills and weatherizing homes, not for administrative expenses.