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

The Infant Care Pantry

Provides assistance to qualified families by providing diapers and wipes.

To qualify, households must be income qualified.

Household must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

# IN HOUSEHOLD	150%
1	$19,320
2	$26,130
3	$32,940
4	$39,750
5	$46,560
6	$53,370
7	$60,180
8	$66,990
For households with more than 8, add $4,540 for each additional person.

The following documentation are required to received diapers:

Proof of County Residence: (can be one or the other AND must be current)

• Current Utility Bill
• Photo ID

Proof of Guardianship (can be any of the three)

• Court Documents
•  Birth Certificate
• Birth Confirmation Letter (12 months or younger)

Income: Most Recent 30 Days of Income For Everyone in the Home 18 and/or Older

• Most Recent Check Stub Showing Gross Year to Date
• Social Security Award Letter or Official Bank Statement
• Wage Inquiry
• Income Affidavit

Shelby County

NEED DIAPERS?

CALL US ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH TO SET UP PICK UP.
TUESDAYS
8:00-5:00
*CLOSED FOR LUNCH 12-1*

HUMAN SERVICES, INC

825 ELM ST
SHELBYVILLE, IN 46176
(317) 398-3153

Johnson County

NEED DIAPERS?

CALL US ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH TO SET UP PICK UP.
WEDNESDAYS
8:00-5:00
*CLOSED FOR LUNCH 12-1*

HUMAN SERVICES, INC

600 IRONWOOD DR., SUITE N
FRANKLIN, IN 46131
(317) 736-0755

CSBG COVID-19 CARES Act Coaching Program

CSBG COVID-19 CARES Act Coaching Program. This program combines coaching with financial assistance while addressing the removal of barriers. Our focus is individuals and households that have been impacted by COVID-19. We understand that this can look different for many, so here are some ways that people may have been impacted:  having been laid off due to employment furloughs, reduction in hours, schools moving to virtual learning, loss of income due to diagnosis of COVID, caregiver for someone affected with COVID, and childcare barriers to list a few.

A few of the requirements for the program are as follows:  

• Applicants must have exhausted all other community resources.
• Applicants must have had their economic condition impacted by COVID-19.
• Applicants cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• They must be a resident of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson, or Shelby counties.

Family Size	200%
1	25,550
2	34,450
3	43,440
4	52,400
5	61,360
6	70,320
7	79,280
8	88,240
$4480.00 for every person above

To apply for assistance, you may call any of our local Human Services, Inc. offices

Homeless Prevention (HUB) and Rental Assistance (RAF) Programs

HSI’s rental assistance ended 9/1/22 and the State program (Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance) IERA, closed their application portal on 7/29/22.

You can go to the IndianaHousingNow.org website and sign up for email notifications if the portal were to reopen. You can also find information about legal services for housing and for eviction mitigation help.

Notification Sign-up

Visit IndianaHousingNow.org and sign up for email notifications concerning if the program is to reopen.

Permanent Supportive Housing

Human Services, Inc. has three homes within our Permanent Supportive Housing program.  Qualified families must have a steady income and be willing to engage in intensive coaching.

Qualified families are those that are exciting Transitional housing, Shelter services, or any other housing program offered by Human Services, Inc.  We also partner with our community partners to find qualified individuals that are wanting to make positive change and forward motion in their lives.

Residents are responsible to pay rent and utilities.  Rent is also based on 30% of their gross monthly income. Residents are required to save 10% of their income each pay period. Family income is an average for a family of two or more related people living in a household.  They can be related by birth, marriage, or adoption.  Household income is the average income of all people living in a housing unit.

All families are encouraged to apply for Columbus Housing Authority and the Human Services, Inc. – Housing Choice Voucher programs during available open enrollments.

County	30% Median Household Income	30% Median family Income
Bartholomew	$52,742	$64,024
Johnson	$61,629	$72,723
Shelby	$52,292	$60,824
Jackson	$43,980	$53,534
Decatur	$46,894	$52,308

Rapid Re-housing and Prevention Program

Rapid Re-housing and Prevention is a program for homeless individuals and families. The program consists of two forms of assistance, coaching and financial assistance. Coaching includes, but is not limited to, goal setting, budgeting, referrals, etc. Coaching assists participants to move forward towards stability. Participants MUST be willing to work towards their goals and work within the program. The finanical assistance can come in the form of rent and utility deposits, arrears on rent or utilites, and partial rent assistance. Financial assistance is dependent upon participation in the coaching process. Participants MAY receive assistance anywhere from one month up to one year. This will be based on individual need and the need is determined on a month to month basis.

Horizon House Emergency Family Shelter

Human Services, Inc, – Horizon House Emergency Family Shelter is a 30-day program designed to coach and assist homeless families within Bartholomew County. Families must have been residents of Bartholomew County prior to their housing crisis.  A four-bedroom home located at 724 Chestnut Street in Columbus, Indiana.  This home gives us the ability to house four families at one time.

We are focused on coaching the entire family. Empowering individuals and families to identify and eliminate barriers while working towards self-sufficiency.

Human Services, Inc. – Horizon House provides intensive coaching along with problem solving and goal setting to empower our participants.  We offer life skills classes that are designed around financial literacy, career development and maintaining nurturing healthy relationships within their family unit. Life skills are also taught through chores and accountability.

Families are required to gain employment within 7days of entry into the program.  Families are also required to save 50% of their income at each pay period. All families are encouraged to apply for Columbus Housing Authority and Housing Choice Voucher programs when they have available enrollments.

To be screened and determine if you are eligible for Horizon House services you can call 812-799-1062.

Horizon Point Transitional Housing

Horizon Point is a collaboration between Horizon House Emergency Family Shelter and Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter.

This program offers three transitional apartment living units for families that have been in either Horizon House Emergency Family Shelter or Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter.

Much like Horizon House this program provides intensive coaching along with problem solving and goal setting to empower participants.

The resident must work full time, engage in coaching, and life skills class. Residents may stay for up to two years. Human Services, Inc. pays for the utilities while the participant pays their determined rent.

The participants rent is based on 30% of the participants gross monthly income. Participants are required to save 10% of their income each pay period. All families are encouraged to apply for Columbus Housing Authority and the Human Services, Inc. – Housing Choice Voucher programs during available open enrollments. In order to be eligible for this program your gross annual income can not exceed 50% of the Area Median Income. Family income is an average for a family of two or more related people living in a household. They can be related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Household income is the average income of all people living in a housing unit.

County	30% Median Household Income	30% Median family Income
Bartholomew	$52,742	$64,024
Johnson	$61,629	$72,723
Shelby	$52,292	$60,824
Jackson	$43,980	$53,534
Decatur	$46,894	$52,308

CSBG Direct Assistance:

Items required for assistance:

• Appointment required.
• Intake Sheet.
• Vision, Medical, or Dental Assistance Plan form.
• Social Security card for all household members.

NOTE: If you cannot provide your social security card, the following documents may be used along with a government issued photo ID:

• Indiana State Issued Real ID
• United States Passport
• Letter from the Social Security Administration
• Social Security Benefit Letter
• Paystub that Contains the Full SSN
• Family Demographic (Office of Family and Children)
• W-2 or 1099 (NOT hand written)
• Documentation from an Eligible Program such as:
  • Medicare Benefit Letter
  • S. Military ID (i.e. DD214 or AF-retired military)
  • S. Government Identification
  • Indiana Government ID (i.e. Dept of Corrections)
  • Benefit Statement
• A birth confirmation letter from the hospital may be used for children under 1 that do not have a social security card yet.

• ID for all adults in the household.
• Income – Income Guideline: 125% FPG (All adults in the household 18 and older must provide proof of income):
  • Wage Inquiry
  • Check stub (Most recent paystub or if you have worked within the last 3 months and are no longer employed, provide the final paystub).
  • Social Security Benefits (SSI, SSDI, SSD, SSA) /VA Pension/Veteran’s Benefit:
    • Current Award Letter: Must be dated within the last year. An award letter dated over a year old will not be accepted.
    • Current Bank Statement: Must clearly show deposit and who it belongs to. The bank statement cannot be marked out for any reason.
    • Pension: Most Recent Check Stub OR Current Pension Award Letter
    • Self-employed: Completed IRS form 1040 page 1 & 2 AND Schedule C page 1 & 2 for previous tax year.
  • Child Support – 12 month print out.
  • TANF – 12 month print out.
  • Zero Income Verification Affidavit/Cash Income: If anyone in the household has had 1 month and/or more of no income, this form must be filled out. One form per household member.

• Vision – Nate Optometrist (812)271-1700.
  His office is located at 314 S. Chestnut St. Seymour, IN 47274.
  The client is eligible with up to, but not to exceed $150.00.

Covered Items:

• Routine eye exam.
• Frames
• Lenses

NOTE: Applicant is responsible for all costs not covered by Human Services, Inc. and must pay Dr. Nate Optometrist the balance in full at the time of purchase.

• Medical /Dental– Indiana Health Center (812)524-8388.
  The office is located at 1113 N. Chestnut St. Seymour, IN 47274.
  The client is eligible with up to, but not to exceed $100.00.

NOTE: Applicant is responsible for all costs not covered by Human Services, Inc. and must pay Indiana Health Center the balance in full at the time of purchase.

Intake Sheet

Please click the application image to open the Application PDF. Download the Intake Sheet and print. Then, fill out the form and bring with you to our office.

Weekend Warriors!

Every Thursday there will be free sack lunches given out with enough food to last the weekend for families who are 150% poverty level and below.

• Children 2-18 years old (Still in school).
• Parent/Guardian Release Form (Available at the office).
• Income Guideline: 150% FPG
• No appointment necessary.

Every Thursday there will be free food bags given out with enough food to last the weekend.

Who:
Any child 2-18 years old attending school.

When:
Every Thursday from 3-4:30pm

Where:
Jackson County Human Services, Inc.
1115 E. Oak St. Seymour, IN 47274
(812)522-8718

Note: If the office is closed on a Thursday, bags will be handed out on that Wednesday.

¡GUERREROS DE FIN DE SEMANA!

Todos los jueves habrá disponible una bolsa de almuerzos entregados con suficiente comida para el fin de semana para las familias que esten al 150% nivel de pobreza y por debajo. Completamente Gratis.

Quién:
Cualquier niño(a) de la edad entre 2-18 años quienes asisten a la escuela.

Cuándo:
Todos los Jueves de 3pm – 4:30pm

Dónde:
Jackson County Human Services, Inc.
1115 E. Oak St. Seymour, en 47274
(812)522-8718