Thousands in Central Illinois receive help paying for energy bills Unmute (HOI) -- More than 3,000 Ameren customers in Central Illinois received assistance paying their past due energy bills. The assistance comes from a one-time grant program derived from a variety of state and federal assistance programs, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Utility Disconnection Avoidance Program (UDAP). Ameren applied around $29 million to outstanding utility bill balances across the state, with around $3.5 million coming to customers in Peoria and Bloomington. Kacy Woodruff is an Ameren customer in Pekin. She says her balance of around $700 was wiped out, and it came as a complete surprise.