Energy Assistance Program
THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM: OCTOBER 1, 2024, UNTIL APRIL 14, 2025.
NOTIFICATION LETTERS AND PLEDGES CANNOT BE MADE UNTIL NOVEMBER 1.
FOR ENERGY EMERGENCIES OUTSIDE OF NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS OR WHEN OFFICES ARE CLOSED, PLEASE CALL 211 FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE OR VISIT: Indiana 211
HSI External Referral Form
*This is a list of agencies that may be able provide additional resources.
NOTICE: IMPORTANT PROGRAM CHANGES
- Benefit levels have DECREASED. This impacts both Regular and Crisis benefits. Benefit levels are determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Crisis will be applied based on the utility bills at time of application ONLY. If payment is not made while an application is in queue to be processed and a disconnect bill is received, additional Crisis benefits will NOT be received. The application will be processed immediately, however, only the crisis benefits needed at time of application will be applied.
- If additional Crisis is needed after an application is approved and not entirely utilized at time of application, they will only be available from March 1-April 14, 2025, if funds are available.
- Households that have a credit balance of $250 or more on one of the regulated utilities (electric or natural gas) at the time of application will be programmatically eligible but will NOT receive a benefit even if the credit falls below $250 at any time during the season.
- Households that have a credit balance of $500 or more on the unregulated utility (propane or oil) at the time of application will not be eligible for assistance until the balance is under $500.
OUR PURPOSE
LIHEAP
To assist income qualified households with the high cost of home energy by providing one time assistance to offset the cost of winter heating.
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED
Energy Assistance Program (EAP):
Provides funds to assist income qualified households with electric and/or heating bills who have an energy burden primarily during the winter months.
EAP assists with a variety of heat sources including but not limited to: electric (prepaid and regular), natural gas, bulk fuel (propane, fuel oil), wood, and/or households that have one or more of the utilities included in the rent.
There are two types of funds available:
Regular EAP benefit: one-time benefit that is applied to a qualified household’s electric and heating utilities.
Crisis EAP benefit: benefit that is applied in addition to a Regular EAP benefit to a qualified household’s electric and/or heating utility if the household is in imminent danger of disconnection, already disconnected, or is already out of deliverable bulk fuel or about to run out of deliverable bulk fuel. The benefit is based on the household’s circumstances at time of application.
INCOME GUIDELINES
To qualify, a household must complete an EAP application, submit required documents, and meet program guidelines.
Benefits are first come, first serve and subject to availability of funds.
The EAP and LIHEAP programs are implemented throughout our five-county service area with outreach offices in each county.
Applications can be obtained the following ways:
-Calling your local outreach office to have one mailed.
-Visiting your local outreach office and picking one up from the onsite drop box.
-Accessing the application below.
-Applying online at: HTTP://EAP.IHCDA.IN.GOV
The following information is needed to apply for LIHEAP:
- EAP Application: all sections completed and application signed.
- Proof of Income for Each Household Member 18 and Older
- Employment: copy of paystub with the YTD gross for the most recent complete 3 months of income.
- Social Security Benefits: copy of complete current award letter or bank statement that shows deposit.
- Pension, Retirement, VA Benefit: copy of complete current award letter or current check stub.
- Unemployment: signed Indiana Department of Workforce Development Form.
- Self Employed: copy of 2022 1040 and Schedule C. All pages.
- Other Income Not Covered: copy of complete current documentation.
- No Income or Cash Income: completed and signed Income Verification Affidavit.
- Landlord Affidavit (if utilities are included in rent only)
- Utility Bill(s): complete most recent utility bill or billing statement for heat and/or electric.
- Utility Affidavit: if bill(s) are in someone’s name not in the household
- ACH Direct Deposit Form (utilities included in rent or wood): only needed if direct deposit is preferred over paper check.
- HSI Internal Referral Form
Additional Documents May Be Requested As Needed.
Applications and/or documents can be returned one of the following ways:
-Mail to:
Human Services, Inc.
Energy Assistance Program
P.O. Box 119
Clifford, IN 47226
-Drop off at the local outreach office drop box. To find out where the local outreach office is, click here.
-Email to: eap@hsi-indiana.com
Allow up to 55 days from the date the application was received by the agency (or November 1, 2024, whichever is later) for the application to be processed. Staff process as quickly and accurately as possible, however, due to the high volume of applications received, this does take time.
Once the application has been processed, a notification letter will be sent by mail notifying you of the status of the application. Notification letters will not be sent out until November 1st.
If Incomplete, please make sure that the requested documentation is returned as quickly as possible so that staff can complete the application.
If Approved, benefits are paid by IHCDA directly to the utility company unless the heat and/or electric utility is included in the rent or a biofuel (wood). It can take up to 60 days before a credit will show on the utility bill or account statement. Continue to pay utility bill(s) while waiting on the benefit to appear on the account. If the utility is included in the rent, allow up to 120 days from the application approval date or November 1, 2024 (whichever is latest) to receive the check by mail or direct deposit.
Department of Workforce Development Release of Information: only needed if receiving unemployment benefits.
Landlord Affidavit: if one or both utilities are included in the rent.
Direct Benefit Payment Election Form: if one or both utilities are included in the rent and would like to have benefit direct deposited.
Utility Affidavit: if bill(s) are in someone’s name not in the household.
Declaration of Absent Household Member: if someone’s name not in the household appears on any documentation that is submitted.
Please contact your local outreach office for any other questions
or email: eap@hsi-indiana.com.