NIPSCO is offering to help active military members, eligible veterans and senior citizens, as well as other low-income customers, pay their home heating bills this winter.
It also expects its natural gas bills will be lower this winter than in the past two winters.
The Northern Indiana Public Service Co. anticipates that this winter’s home heating bills will be about 24% lower than last winter, thanks to natural gas market prices that have been lower than last winter.
“While this will be a help to many,” NIPSCO President Mike Hooper said in a news release, “we understand that some may still have trouble paying their bills.
“We’re making these programs available to provide further energy assistance to our most vulnerable customers this winter season.”
SERV (Supply Energy Resources to Veterans) or SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resource) can provide a qualifying customer a one-time benefit up to $400 a year.
SERV is for active military members and honorably discharged military veterans who need help paying their NIPSCO gas bills.
SILVER is for NIPSCO customers 60 years old or older who need financial assistance.
Both programs, now in their third year, are available for NIPSCO customers who qualify for LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) assistance.
For a list of requirements for SERV and SILVER, see NIPSCO.com/IncomeEligible. At that site, customers may also apply for the appropriate program. Applicant should allow 30 days for the form to be processed.
For customers just outside the federal poverty guidelines, the NIPSCO Hardship Program offers up to $400 to help pay the natural gas bill for households at 151 to 250% of federal poverty levels.
Hardship funds are available through community action agencies where LIHEAP funds are distributed.
LIHEAP can help households whose income is at or below 60% of the state median income. It is funded by a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
To learn if they qualify for LIHEAP, customers can visit eap.iheda.in.gov, call 211, or use the NIPSCO eligibility calculator at NIPSCO.com/Income Eligible.
NIPSCO recommends that customers determine their eligibility and apply for help as soon as possible, and to tell friends, family and neighbors who also may qualify.
Customers eligible for aid through LIHEAP can be enrolled in NIPSCO’s CARE (Customer Assistance for Residential Energy) program, to reduce their bills by 11-to-26%.
For more information on billing options and payment help, see NIPSCO.com/assistance, or call the NIPSCO customer care center at 1-800-4-NIPSCO from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
