Winter Heating Assistance Available
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim Robertson-trobertson@timesuniononline.com
According to the AP, Vectren North, Citizens Gas and the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. all expect gas prices to be higher this winter than last.[[In-content Ad]]With heating bills anticipated to rise, state and local agencies and utility companies are offering assistance to help area residents keep their homes warm over the winter.
Pattie Marlow, a client service specialist for the Indiana Energy Assistance Program in Warsaw, said the program is aimed at helping low-income families or those in financial distress keep their access to heating utilities over the winter. Locally, the EAP is administered through the Combined Community Services office. Marlow said she has already taken more than 300 applications from Kosciusko County residents for the program and she expects numbers to rise.
"We're booked out for appointments over the next three weeks," she said.
Eligibility requirements for EAP include those customers earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That translates to annual income of $15,600 for a single individual and $31,800 for a family of four. In addition, those who have financial hardship situations, as determined by an administering agency, are eligible for assistance.
Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance at CCS, administers NIPSCO's Winter Warmth program in Warsaw. She said her office began taking applications for the program Monday. The Winter Warmth program is an energy assistance program designed to supplement the EAP and other existing state and federal energy assistance programs.
"In preparation for higher natural gas prices this winter, we are pleased that enrollment for the Winter Warmth program is opening earlier this year," said Cynthia Jackson, energy assistance and weatherization program manager for NIPSCO. "The Winter Warmth program will continue to be a vital tool in assisting customers with their winter heating bills, and enabling families to stay safe and warm during the winter."
With the Winter Warmth program, qualifying NIPSCO customers will be eligible to receive up to $450 in annual energy assistance. Eligibility requirements are the same as those for EAP.
According to a statement from NIPSCO, the company will increase its contribution amount toward the program this year to 18 percent of total dollars collected from customers for the 2008-2009 winter heating season. According to NIPSCO, the average residential customer will contribute approximately $0.63 per month toward the program.
Lisenbee-Wright said the Winter Warmth program cannot totally cover late utility bills. She said, to be eligible for assistance, customers must pay on their bill throughout the winter.
"Our policy is we can't help you if you haven't paid at all or stayed in contact with NIPSCO," she said.
Locally, both the Winter Warmth and EAP are administered from the CCS office. Lisenbee-Wright said that allows her and Marlow to coordinate their efforts to get help to those in need.
In addition to the Winter Warmth program and EAP, Lisenbee-Wright said CCS administers the Gift of Warmth program. Gift of Warmth is a matching funds program to provide additional assistance for local heating utility needs. The Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association, a local network of 18 churches and 12 businesses and agencies, is raising money throughout the county and NIPSCO will match up to $25,000 in assistance.
Ministerial Association Director Ken Locke said the association is aiming for Nov. 12 as a deadline for donations for Gift of Warmth. He said those wishing to contribute should send their donations directly to CCS 110 E. Prairie St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Locke said he anticipates the need for the extra assistance to increase this year from past years.
To make an appointment for utility assistance application, call CCS at 574-269-6019, Ext. 30. Lisenbee-Wright said appointments also can be made for Turkey Creek Township residents by calling the Syracuse Food Pantry, 574-457-5450, or for Silver Lake residents by calling Silver Lake Wesleyan Church, 260-578-2040.
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According to the AP, Vectren North, Citizens Gas and the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. all expect gas prices to be higher this winter than last.[[In-content Ad]]With heating bills anticipated to rise, state and local agencies and utility companies are offering assistance to help area residents keep their homes warm over the winter.
Pattie Marlow, a client service specialist for the Indiana Energy Assistance Program in Warsaw, said the program is aimed at helping low-income families or those in financial distress keep their access to heating utilities over the winter. Locally, the EAP is administered through the Combined Community Services office. Marlow said she has already taken more than 300 applications from Kosciusko County residents for the program and she expects numbers to rise.
"We're booked out for appointments over the next three weeks," she said.
Eligibility requirements for EAP include those customers earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That translates to annual income of $15,600 for a single individual and $31,800 for a family of four. In addition, those who have financial hardship situations, as determined by an administering agency, are eligible for assistance.
Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance at CCS, administers NIPSCO's Winter Warmth program in Warsaw. She said her office began taking applications for the program Monday. The Winter Warmth program is an energy assistance program designed to supplement the EAP and other existing state and federal energy assistance programs.
"In preparation for higher natural gas prices this winter, we are pleased that enrollment for the Winter Warmth program is opening earlier this year," said Cynthia Jackson, energy assistance and weatherization program manager for NIPSCO. "The Winter Warmth program will continue to be a vital tool in assisting customers with their winter heating bills, and enabling families to stay safe and warm during the winter."
With the Winter Warmth program, qualifying NIPSCO customers will be eligible to receive up to $450 in annual energy assistance. Eligibility requirements are the same as those for EAP.
According to a statement from NIPSCO, the company will increase its contribution amount toward the program this year to 18 percent of total dollars collected from customers for the 2008-2009 winter heating season. According to NIPSCO, the average residential customer will contribute approximately $0.63 per month toward the program.
Lisenbee-Wright said the Winter Warmth program cannot totally cover late utility bills. She said, to be eligible for assistance, customers must pay on their bill throughout the winter.
"Our policy is we can't help you if you haven't paid at all or stayed in contact with NIPSCO," she said.
Locally, both the Winter Warmth and EAP are administered from the CCS office. Lisenbee-Wright said that allows her and Marlow to coordinate their efforts to get help to those in need.
In addition to the Winter Warmth program and EAP, Lisenbee-Wright said CCS administers the Gift of Warmth program. Gift of Warmth is a matching funds program to provide additional assistance for local heating utility needs. The Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association, a local network of 18 churches and 12 businesses and agencies, is raising money throughout the county and NIPSCO will match up to $25,000 in assistance.
Ministerial Association Director Ken Locke said the association is aiming for Nov. 12 as a deadline for donations for Gift of Warmth. He said those wishing to contribute should send their donations directly to CCS 110 E. Prairie St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Locke said he anticipates the need for the extra assistance to increase this year from past years.
To make an appointment for utility assistance application, call CCS at 574-269-6019, Ext. 30. Lisenbee-Wright said appointments also can be made for Turkey Creek Township residents by calling the Syracuse Food Pantry, 574-457-5450, or for Silver Lake residents by calling Silver Lake Wesleyan Church, 260-578-2040.
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