State preparing for winter heating season
Comet staff report

Indiana is well-prepared to help Hoosiers who need financial assistance with winter fuel costs during the upcoming heating season, according to Governor Mitch Daniels.

"We've taken all the steps we can again this year to be ready to help Hoosiers," he announced last week. "In addition, the state's largest utility companies will help people whose incomes are above 150 percent of poverty, much like the Help Thy Neighbor program has the last two years. We appreciate that," said the governor.

Daniels started the heating assistance program in 2005 to extend home heating assistance to households with incomes between 150 and 200 percent of the poverty level, households that typically are not eligible for traditional financial assistance. Since then, more than 30,000 families have been helped.

A Lilly Endowment grant, private donations and contributions from Vectren, Citizens Gas and NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company) funded the $7 million program which was administered by Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana.

Now, the three utilities will launch a similar effort through their own company programs and combined, are expected to provide nearly $2 million this winter.

"Serving all of our customers is very important," said Ed Simcox, president of the Indiana Energy Association. "Indiana winters can be harsh, but there are heating programs available to those in need of aid."

Daniels said the state expects to have $56 million in available funds through Indiana's Energy Assistance Program (EAP). That includes $44 million of federal funds, $6.9 million from a special allocation of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds previously ordered by the governor, and $4.7 million in contingency and carry-over funds from the 2006-07 program year. Those funds are available to help individuals and families with incomes up to 150 percent of the poverty level who need help paying their winter heating bills. Daniels increased the level of eligibility from 125 percent of the poverty level to 150 percent of the poverty level two years ago.

Last winter, the state served 143,616 households across Indiana, providing $44.3 million. The average household benefit was $308.80. To improve on accessibility and customer service, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, which overseas EAP, has required Community Action Agencies to utilize interactive voicemail software to handle large call volumes, to accept mail-in renewals beginning in July and to allow households to schedule appointments as well as take applications on a walk-in basis.

Customers should contact their local utility company for more information about winter warmth programs. Contact the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority at (800) 872-0371 for information about the state's Energy Assistance Program.