Ameren is adding $10 million to programs that help Missouri and Illinois customers pay overdue utility bills and manage rising energy costs, including assistance for qualifying households, small businesses, nonprofits and military families.
The additional funding will replenish existing assistance programs and relaunch others, providing help to customers struggling with past-due balances and high energy bills. The programs include one-time grants, matching assistance and support for active-duty military members and veterans.
In Missouri, additional funding will support Dollar More, which works with partner agencies to help households pay utility bills, and the Energy Relief Grant, a relaunched program providing one-time assistance to qualifying customers. Eligible Dollar More participants can receive up to $600, while qualifying customers can receive a one-time $275 Energy Relief Grant, according to Ameren’s assistance website.
Ameren Missouri also is continuing its Military & Veterans Support program, which provides grants to active-duty service members and veterans, and relaunching its Non-Residential Hardship Program for small businesses and nonprofits facing financial difficulties. Qualifying businesses and nonprofits can receive grants of up to $1,000.
In Illinois, additional funding will support Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, a matching-grant program for income-qualified households. Ameren Illinois also is relaunching its Non-Residential Hardship Program for small businesses and nonprofits and its Military Program, which provides grants to active-duty military members and veterans.
“Many families are facing real financial pressures, and keeping energy costs as low as possible remains one of our most important responsibilities,” said Joe Solari, Ameren’s vice president of customer experience.
The announcement comes as lower-income households are spending a disproportionate share of their earnings on utilities. An Oct. 13 analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that households earning less than $40,000 spent a median 13.3% of their pretax income on utilities in 2024, compared with 2.5% for households earning at least $150,000.
The analysis also found that 42% of low-income households nationally reduced or went without basic necessities to pay utility bills, while 22% received utility disconnection notices.
Ameren Missouri, meanwhile, is seeking a $343 million increase in annual electric revenue, which the Missouri Public Service Commission says would add approximately $13 a month to the average residential customer’s bill. The proposed increase, which would not take effect before mid-2027, remains subject to regulatory review.
In Illinois, electricity supply prices for Ameren customers remain elevated, according to the nonprofit Citizens Utility Board. The organization reports that prices for the first 800 kilowatt-hours of monthly usage are approximately 29% higher than two years ago. Ameren Illinois passes electricity supply costs through to customers without a markup, according to the organization.
The company did not specify in its announcement how the $10 million would be divided between Missouri and Illinois.
Ameren reported that its customers had received more than $107 million in energy assistance through September 2026. The company also directs customers to government assistance programs, including federally funded energy assistance, but did not specify how much of the reported $107 million came directly from Ameren rather than government or other sources.
Ameren also offers energy-efficiency and weatherization programs intended to help customers reduce long-term energy use.
Residents and business owners can learn more about eligibility and available assistance at ameren.com/assistance.