NIPSCO MARKS NATIONAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE DAY ON JAN. 31
Programs available to income-eligible customers
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — 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.