NIPSCO Outlines Assistance Programs
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Under the state’s moratorium, Indiana utilities – including NIPSCO – do not disconnect service to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program customers who are behind on their bills during the winter season, officially defined as December 1 through March 15.
“Working with our customers to get them the assistance they need is our main focus,” said Debora Owen, NIPSCO’s vice president of customer operations, in a release from the utility. “We offer a number of programs to help those customers who may be experiencing financial challenges or falling behind on their energy bills. If customers find themselves in those difficult situations, we urge them to reach out.”
Assistance programs offered include:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: LIHEAP support is available to households falling within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. It is fully funded by a federal block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NIPSCO Customer Assistance for Residential Energy Discount Program: The NIPSCO CARE Discount Program is designed to provide further bill reductions to LIHEAP-eligible customers. Applications are made at the same time as LIHEAP submissions, and reductions range from 11 to 26 percent, depending on the same criteria used by the state in determining the level of assistance.
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 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Hardship funds are available through many of the same local Community Action Agencies where LIHEAP funds are distributed. Applications are accepted through May 31.
Township Trustees: A limited amount of energy assistance funds are available through local township trustee offices via tax revenues. NIPSCO customers can contact their local township trustee to see what help is available.
Payment Arrangements: A NIPSCO payment arrangement allows eligible customers to make an initial payment within four days of the agreement, then spread the remaining unpaid balance over three months, plus current bills as they are due.
For more information on billing options and payment assistance, customers can call NIPSCO at 800-4NIPSCO or visit NIPSCO.com/PaymentAssistance
NIPSCO also offers energy efficiency programs to help save throughout the year, including:
Energy Efficiency Rebate Program: NIPSCO’s Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers rebates for energy-efficient furnaces, insulation, programmable thermostats and other home efficiency improvements.
Residential Lighting Program: NIPSCO’s Residential Lighting Program makes buying energy-efficient light bulbs even more affordable, according to the utility, with additional savings on certain Energy Star-certified lighting through Nov. 15.
Home Energy Assessment and Weatherization Program: Learn how to raise your home’s performance, lower energy bills and improve in-home air quality with an energy assessment and discounts on energy-saving upgrades.
Income-Qualified Weatherization Program: An energy advisor will come to your home to perform a complete assessment and install multiple energy-saving devices.
For more information on these programs and for more tips to save, visit NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy[[In-content Ad]]
Under the state’s moratorium, Indiana utilities – including NIPSCO – do not disconnect service to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program customers who are behind on their bills during the winter season, officially defined as December 1 through March 15.
“Working with our customers to get them the assistance they need is our main focus,” said Debora Owen, NIPSCO’s vice president of customer operations, in a release from the utility. “We offer a number of programs to help those customers who may be experiencing financial challenges or falling behind on their energy bills. If customers find themselves in those difficult situations, we urge them to reach out.”
Assistance programs offered include:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: LIHEAP support is available to households falling within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. It is fully funded by a federal block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NIPSCO Customer Assistance for Residential Energy Discount Program: The NIPSCO CARE Discount Program is designed to provide further bill reductions to LIHEAP-eligible customers. Applications are made at the same time as LIHEAP submissions, and reductions range from 11 to 26 percent, depending on the same criteria used by the state in determining the level of assistance.
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 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Hardship funds are available through many of the same local Community Action Agencies where LIHEAP funds are distributed. Applications are accepted through May 31.
Township Trustees: A limited amount of energy assistance funds are available through local township trustee offices via tax revenues. NIPSCO customers can contact their local township trustee to see what help is available.
Payment Arrangements: A NIPSCO payment arrangement allows eligible customers to make an initial payment within four days of the agreement, then spread the remaining unpaid balance over three months, plus current bills as they are due.
For more information on billing options and payment assistance, customers can call NIPSCO at 800-4NIPSCO or visit NIPSCO.com/PaymentAssistance
NIPSCO also offers energy efficiency programs to help save throughout the year, including:
Energy Efficiency Rebate Program: NIPSCO’s Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers rebates for energy-efficient furnaces, insulation, programmable thermostats and other home efficiency improvements.
Residential Lighting Program: NIPSCO’s Residential Lighting Program makes buying energy-efficient light bulbs even more affordable, according to the utility, with additional savings on certain Energy Star-certified lighting through Nov. 15.
Home Energy Assessment and Weatherization Program: Learn how to raise your home’s performance, lower energy bills and improve in-home air quality with an energy assessment and discounts on energy-saving upgrades.
Income-Qualified Weatherization Program: An energy advisor will come to your home to perform a complete assessment and install multiple energy-saving devices.
For more information on these programs and for more tips to save, visit NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy[[In-content Ad]]
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