Applications for Winter Energy Assistance Programs Begin Monday Households in Need Encouraged to Contact NIPSCO

rot2Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is partnering again this year with state agencies and other organizations to help connect families struggling to pay their heating bills this winter with available assistance funds. Enrollment for the federal low income energy assistance program begins on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014.

Assistance programs include:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Program: LIHEAP support is available to households falling within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Between December 1 and March 15, Indiana natural gas utilities do not disconnect service to customers enrolled in LIHEAP who are behind on their bills.
NIPSCO Customer Assistance for Residential Energy (CARE) Discount Program: The NIPSCO CARE Discount Program is designed to provide further bill reductions to LIHEAP-eligible customers. Once enrolled in LIHEAP, customers are automatically enrolled in the program.
NIPSCO Hardship Program: For customers just outside the federal poverty guidelines for LIHEAP, the NIPSCO Hardship Program offers up to $400 in gas bill assistance to households between 151-200 percent of the federal poverty level.

While NIPSCO has among the lowest residential gas bills in Indiana and has projected lower gas costs than last winter, payment assistance programs help give a greater sense of security to customers experiencing financial difficulties.

“Energy assistance programs are essential to families in need as winter approaches,” said NIPSCO Vice President of Customer Operations Debora Owen. “Funding is limited, so we encourage customers experiencing financial difficulties to contact us as soon as possible.”

NIPSCO Customer Care Agents trained to help connect customers with available funds are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT at 1-800-4NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726).

Eligibility is based on income and family size. More information and a listing of agencies that help administer assistance programs can be found at www.NIPSCO.com/PaymentAssistance.

The following information is usually required when applying for LIHEAP at an agency; however, be sure to contact the agency for the complete list of documentation you will need to provide:
Indiana picture ID
Social Security cards for all household members
NIPSCO bill
Proof of residency
Proof of income

Energy and Money Saving Programs
Improving a home's energy efficiency can make a big difference on utility bills. All NIPSCO customers have access to a wide range of programs designed to help manage energy usage, and in turn bills. A full list of programs and tips to help manage energy use can be found at NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has served the energy needs of Northern Indiana since 1912. Headquartered in Merrillville, NIPSCO is one of the seven energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc (NYSE: NI). With more than 821,000 natural gas customers and 468,000 electric customers, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in seven states. More information about NIPSCO is available at NIPSCO.com.