INDIANA – Applications are still being accepted for Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These programs help low-income households pay their electricity, heating, water, and wastewater bills and avoid shutoffs, especially during the cold winter months. Applications will continue to be accepted until May 16, 2022.
More than 80,000 households have received electric and heating assistance this program year, with approximately $77.8 million in assistance already obligated. New for the 2021-2022 program year, households can apply for water/wastewater utility assistance in the same application as energy assistance. More than 7,800 households have received water assistance since the program’s inception, totaling over $1.8 million in assistance obligated.
The utility shutoff moratorium protects Hoosiers from having their electric and gas service shut off during the winter. During the moratorium, if someone applies for EAP, they are protected from having their electric or heating fuel service turned off by their utility company while eligibility is being determined. If they are determined eligible for EAP benefits, the protection continues through March 15. EAP recipients who are not current on their bills should immediately talk with their utility vendors about arrangements to bring their accounts current before March 15, 2022, in order to avoid potential disconnection.
Households that make 60% of the state median income (60 SMI) or less are encouraged to apply for EAP/LIHWAP before May 16, 2022. A detailed chart of income eligibility requirements, as well as a list of local service providers and a link to the online application, can be found on the IHCDA website. If a household does not have internet access, they can call 2-1-1 and ask to be connected to the EAP local service provider in their area.
