In observance of National Energy Assistance Day on Jan. 31, 2025, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) wants to remind customers of energy assistance programs available to those facing financial difficulties with energy bills or paying past-due balances.
“Our priority is to ensure every customer has access to the energy they need to keep their home safe and warm during the cold winter months,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are here for you and want to work with you.”
Below is a list of current programs along with a brief description. For full details, including eligibility criteria, please visit NIPSCO.com/IncomeEligible.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Available to households that are at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income (SMI). Customers can learn more and find out if they qualify at eap.ihcda.in.gov or call 2-1-1. Online and paper applications are available to the public. The application deadline is 5 p.m. EST April 14, 2025.
- Customer Assistance for Residential Energy (CARE) Discount Program: In addition to the assistance available through LIHEAP, the NIPSCO CARE program is designed to provide further bill reductions to LIHEAP-approved customers. Once enrolled in LIHEAP, customers are automatically enrolled in the program, and reductions range from 15%-32%, depending on the same criteria used by the state in determining the level of assistance.
- NIPSCO Hardship Program: Assists customers whose income is just above the federal poverty guidelines for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), providing gas bill assistance for households with income levels between 151% and 250% of the federal poverty level. Hardship funds are distributed through local Community Action Agencies.
- SERV Program: Supports income-qualified active military members and honorably discharged veterans with past-due NIPSCO residential gas accounts.
- SILVER Program: Assists income-qualified NIPSCO senior customers aged 60 and older with past-due NIPSCO residential gas accounts.
- Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) Program: Provides financial assistance for rent and utility payments for Indiana residents whose income has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Customers can learn more and find out if they qualify by calling 2-1-1.
- Township Trustees: A limited amount of energy assistance funds are available through local Township Trustee offices. NIPSCO customers are encouraged to contact their local Township Trustee to see what help may be available.
- Flexible Payment Plans: NIPSCO has expanded its payment plan agreements to offer its most flexible payment plans to customers that need financial support, including three-, six- and 12-month plans. Customers can learn more and enroll at NIPSCO.com/PaymentPlans.
- Budget Plan: A free service to all NIPSCO customers to help manage their monthly energy bills by spreading out gas costs over an entire year. Learn more at NIPSCO.com/budget.
For more information on billing options and payment assistance, visit NIPSCO.com/assistance. Customers looking to quickly find information 24 hours a day, seven days a week can use NIPSCO’s Chat feature located in the bottom right-hand corner of its website (NIPSCO.com) or via the mobile app. Customers may also contact the NIPSCO Customer Care Center at 1-800-4-NIPSCO Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
NIPSCO encourages residents to please share this information with family, friends or neighbors who may qualify.
About NIPSCO:
Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana, has proudly served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana’s largest natural gas distribution company and the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately 900,000 natural gas and 500,000 electric customers across 32 counties. NIPSCO is part of NiSource’s (NYSE: NI) six regulated utility companies. NiSource is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. More information about NIPSCO and NiSource is available at NIPSCO.com and NiSource.com.