Ameren strengthens commitment to communities with $10 million in additional funding for programs to help customers across Missouri and Illinois
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 14, 2026) – Ameren has reinforced its commitment to strong community partnerships with $10 million in additional funding to replenish programs that help eligible customers manage their energy bills.
“At Ameren, we know our strength is tied to the strength of the communities we serve,” said Gwen Mizell, Ameren senior vice president and chief sustainability officer. “Our commitment is threefold: protecting the safety, reliability and resilience of the energy system our customers rely on every day; supporting economic development and job creation while protecting our existing customers; and standing with our customers and communities when needs arise. As customers face rising costs across many areas, that need is clearer than ever, making this support especially important.”
The additional funding will help eligible customers reduce past-due balances, manage high bills and avoid falling further behind.
“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, vice president of customer experience at Ameren. “That’s why our commitment to our customers goes beyond traditional assistance programs to include energy efficiency and weatherization support, protections that help shield customers from emerging cost pressures, and continued investments that keep the grid reliable and resilient. Together, these efforts are designed to support our customers and help make energy costs manageable for the long term.”
Customers can find out how to apply for available funding by visiting Ameren.com/Assistance.
Ameren Illinois programs receiving additional funding are:
- Warm Neighbors Cool Friends is a matching grant program that provides additional bill payment assistance to income-qualified households
- Non-Residential Hardship Program is a relaunch of a program that assists small businesses and non-profits in financial hardship
- Ameren Illinois Military Program is another relaunched program providing assistance grants to active-duty military members and veterans
“Every customer deserves access to safe, reliable energy, especially during difficult financial moments,” said Kim Bond, manager of customer assistance for Ameren Illinois. “This assistance will help Illinois families stay connected to an essential service and give them room to get back on more stable footing. When fewer customers fall further behind, it helps strengthen communities, creating a more stable energy system for everyone we serve.”
Ameren Missouri programs receiving additional funding are:
- Dollar More assists thousands of customers each year through partner agencies
- Energy Relief Grant is a relaunched program offering qualified customers one-time energy assistance grants
- Ameren Missouri Military & Veterans Support provides grants to active-duty military members and veterans
- Non-Residential Hardship Program is another relaunched program for small business and nonprofits in financial hardship
“We understand that many customers are balancing competing financial priorities, and reliable energy remains a basic necessity,” said Page Selby, manager of customer advocacy for Ameren Missouri. “This additional funding underscores our commitment to being there for our Missouri customers and communities. For more than 100 years, we’ve worked to provide safe, reliable energy while supporting the people and neighborhoods that make Missouri home.”
Through September 2026, Ameren customers have received more than $107 million in total energy assistance. In addition to bill payment support, Ameren offers programs and resources focused on helping customers better understand and manage energy use, including energy efficiency and weatherization.
Customers can learn more about available assistance and energy-saving programs by visiting Ameren.com/Assistance.
About Ameren Corporation St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 67,700-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission, and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns, and operates regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.
