Last updated: July 16, 2026
Bottom line
If an Indiana electric, gas, water, sewer, phone, or internet bill is past due, call the company before the shutoff date. Ask for the lowest payment that will stop disconnection, a payment plan, and any company hardship fund. Then call 211 and your township trustee.
Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP), also called Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is closed for the 2025–2026 season. The application deadline was April 20, 2026. The state says it will reopen in fall 2026, but it had not posted an exact reopening date as of July 16.
EAP is not the only path. Utility hardship funds, township assistance, local water discounts, weatherization, and the federal Lifeline discount may help with different bills. The ASMOM national utility guide explains the main programs across the country.
If shutoff is close or service is off
Call the utility today. Give the shutoff date and ask what payment or agreement will stop the action. Write down the worker’s name, date, time, and confirmation number. Do not assume an application for outside help automatically pauses disconnection.
- Local referrals: Dial 211 or 866-211-9966, or text your ZIP code to 898-211.
- Regulated utility complaint: Call Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Consumer Affairs at 1-800-851-4268.
- Medical risk: Ask the utility what statement it needs from a licensed doctor or public health official. A valid statement can postpone a regulated shutoff for 10 days.
- Unsafe home: Call 911 for immediate danger. Use a safer device when controlling utility access is part of abuse.
Use the ASMOM Indiana emergency guide if utility trouble is connected to food, shelter, eviction, or another urgent need.
Where to start
Call the utility
Ask about a payment extension, installment plan, budget billing, hardship fund, medical postponement, and the amount needed to stop shutoff.
Call Indiana 211
Ask for current utility funds, Community Action, trustee assistance, food help, and charities serving your ZIP code.
Contact your trustee
Ask for the township’s written standards, application hours, required papers, and a written decision.
Prepare for EAP
Save current bills and income records so you can apply when the next state season opens.
The ASMOM Indiana help guide connects utility aid with food, cash, health, housing, and child care programs.
Quick reference: which help to try
| Problem | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas arrears | Call the utility, 211, and trustee | EAP is closed until fall 2026. |
| Shutoff notice | Ask for a hold or payment plan | Outside applications do not always stop disconnection. |
| Water or sewer bill | Call the local provider | The former statewide water program has ended. |
| High bills every month | Ask about weatherization | It lowers future use but is not emergency cash. |
| Phone or internet cost | Apply for Lifeline | Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. |
Indiana Energy Assistance Program
The official EAP page is the main place to check program status. EAP gives an eligible household a one-time annual benefit that is paid to its heating or electric vendor. It can help with a current bill, disconnection, or reconnection, but it is not designed to pay a full year of energy costs.
The 2025–2026 application period closed at 5 p.m. Eastern on April 20, 2026. Indiana is not accepting new regular, second-crisis, or summer-assistance applications now. Applications submitted before the deadline are still being reviewed. The portal is expected to reopen in fall 2026.
When the next season opens, applicants will be able to use the state portal or the Local Service Provider that serves their county. People whose heating or electric cost is included in rent may still be able to apply when the program is open, but they may need a tenant verification form.
Get ready before fall
Make a folder with current utility bills, income records, household identification, benefit letters, and a lease or landlord statement. Use the ASMOM documents checklist to keep paper and digital copies organized.
Do not stop paying because you plan to apply later. Call the utility now and use local programs while EAP is closed.
Indiana shutoff rules and protections
The OUCC shutoff guide explains rules for utilities regulated by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. A regulated electric or natural gas utility generally must give 14 days’ notice. A regulated water or sewer utility generally must give seven days’ notice.
The notice should state the disconnection date, reason, utility phone number, and customer rights information. A regulated utility may disconnect for nonpayment only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Contact the utility at once if a notice is unclear or the balance is wrong.
Winter moratorium
Indiana’s winter protection guide covers eligible EAP households from December 1 through March 15. The protection does not erase the debt. Pay what you can and keep any payment agreement so the balance is easier to manage after March 15.
Medical postponement
A regulated utility must postpone disconnection for 10 days when it receives a proper statement from a licensed doctor or public health official that shutoff would create a serious and immediate health or safety risk. Ask the utility for its exact form and deadline. The debt is still owed.
Which utilities are covered?
Municipal utilities, rural electric membership cooperatives, internet companies, cable companies, and wireless providers may follow different complaint and disconnection rules. Ask the IURC customer office whether your provider is regulated before relying on a state rule.
Indiana 211 and township trustee help
Indiana 211 is available around the clock. Ask the navigator to search for electric, gas, water, sewer, rent, food, and transportation help in your ZIP code. Ask whether the fund is open before making a trip.
Every Indiana township has a trustee who administers township assistance. Help can include utilities when the household meets local standards and has no other reasonable way to meet the need. Trustees usually pay the vendor rather than giving cash.
Use the local official directory to find contact information. Apply in the township where you live. Each township has written standards, so document lists, income rules, appointment methods, and limits can differ.
The trustee rights guide says you should request a written denial that gives the reason and appeal information. A township-assistance appeal generally must be filed within 15 days of the denial date.
The ASMOM Community Action guide explains how local agencies may connect utility, weatherization, food, and housing services.
Utility company hardship programs
Company programs are limited to customers of that utility. Funds and application periods can change. Ask whether the program is open, what balance is required, and whether you must apply for EAP first.
| Utility | Current help path | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| AES Indiana | Power of Change | Eligible customers receive an automatic $10 monthly credit from July through December 2026. One-time emergency support may also be available through partners. |
| Duke Energy Indiana | Share the Light | Eligible customers may receive up to $300 annually when funds are available. Apply through a participating Community Action agency. |
| Indiana Michigan Power | I&M assistance | Neighbor to Neighbor applies approved grants to the electric account. Availability and rules can change. |
| CenterPoint Energy | Customer Assistance Fund | The Salvation Army helps administer direct bill support for eligible Indiana customers, subject to funds. |
| NIPSCO | NIPSCO assistance | Use the current eligibility tool. Some gas grants are seasonal, but payment plans and other support may remain available. |
If your company is not listed, search its official payment-assistance page or call the billing number on your statement. Ask about hardship funds, budget billing, payment extensions, deposit help, and reconnection rules.
Water, sewer, phone, and internet help
Indiana’s former Low Income Household Water Assistance Program was temporary. The state water page says no additional statewide LIHWAP funding is available. Call your local water or sewer provider and ask for a plan, discount, leak adjustment, or local hardship fund.
Citizens Energy Group customers in central Indiana can check the Warm Heart program. It combines grants with other assistance to help eligible customers maintain service.
South Bend residents who receive city sewer service can check the city utility discount. Eligible households may receive up to $25.50 off monthly water and sewer charges.
For phone or internet, the federal Lifeline program provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount for eligible households. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, and it may be used for qualifying phone or broadband service.
The ASMOM phone and internet guide explains Lifeline and lower-cost service options.
Weatherization can lower future bills
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides no-cost energy work for qualified Indiana households. It can include insulation, air sealing, heating-system work, efficient lighting, and safety devices.
Weatherization is open to qualifying renters and homeowners. Renters may need owner permission. It is not emergency bill money and may involve an energy audit, waitlist, and scheduled work.
Ask the Local Service Provider whether an approved EAP application can also be used for weatherization eligibility. If high rent or unsafe housing is part of the problem, use the ASMOM Indiana housing guide.
Documents and information to gather
Requirements differ by program. Apply or call even if one paper is missing, and ask what other proof is accepted.
| Information | Possible proof | Helpful step |
|---|---|---|
| Utility account | Complete current bill and shutoff notice | Show every page and the service address. |
| Household identity | ID and requested household records | Ask what replaces a lost document. |
| Income | Pay stubs, benefit letters, or job-loss proof | Gather the period the program requests. |
| Housing | Lease, rent statement, or landlord form | Explain if utilities are included in rent. |
| Medical risk | Utility medical form or provider statement | Ask the utility for its exact wording and deadline. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for EAP. It is closed now, so use the utility, 211, trustee, and company funds.
- Ignoring the notice. Call before the shutoff date and keep proof of the agreement.
- Assuming children prevent shutoff. Ask which protection actually applies.
- Sending your only originals. Keep copies of every bill, notice, and form.
- Accepting an impossible plan. Ask for an amount you can realistically keep paying.
- Paying an application fee. Government utility assistance applications are free.
If help is denied, delayed, or confusing
Ask for the reason in writing. Check whether the problem is missing proof, income, service area, an inactive account, an expired application period, or no available funds. Keep the denial, envelope, uploads, and call notes.
If a trustee denies or reduces help, request the written denial slip. The appeal period is generally 15 days. Contact Indiana Legal Services or use the ASMOM Indiana legal guide when you need help understanding the process.
For a regulated utility billing, deposit, service, or shutoff dispute, contact the utility first. If it is not resolved, call IURC Consumer Affairs. Phone contact is better than the online form when shutoff is near or service is already off.
The ASMOM benefits problem guide can help you track calls and deadlines.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling the utility
“I have a shutoff notice for [date]. What is the lowest payment or agreement that will keep service on? Please also check hardship funds, medical postponement, and payment extensions.”
Calling Indiana 211
“I live in ZIP code [ZIP] and need help with a past-due [electric, gas, water, or sewer] bill. Please check open utility funds, Community Action, trustee help, and local charities.”
Calling the township trustee
“I live in this township and have a utility shutoff notice. How do I apply, what papers are required, and how can I receive the decision in writing?”
Calling IURC Consumer Affairs
“I contacted my utility on [date], but the shutoff or billing problem is not resolved. Is this provider regulated, and how can I file an urgent complaint?”
Resumen en español
El programa EAP/LIHEAP de Indiana está cerrado para la temporada 2025–2026. El estado dice que abrirá de nuevo en el otoño de 2026, pero todavía no ha publicado una fecha exacta.
Si tiene una carta de desconexión, llame hoy a la compañía. Pida el pago mínimo, un plan y fondos de emergencia. También llame al 211 y al trustee de su township. Guarde nombres, fechas y números de confirmación.
Para una queja con una compañía regulada, llame a IURC Consumer Affairs al 1-800-851-4268. Si le niegan ayuda del trustee, pida la decisión por escrito; el plazo de apelación normalmente es de 15 días.
FAQs about Indiana utility help
Is Indiana EAP open now?
No. The 2025–2026 EAP application period closed on April 20, 2026. Indiana says the portal will reopen in fall 2026, but an exact date has not been posted.
What should I do with a shutoff notice?
Call the utility immediately. Ask what payment or agreement will stop disconnection, then contact 211 and your township trustee for current local assistance.
How much notice must a utility give?
A regulated electric or gas utility generally gives 14 days’ notice. A regulated water or sewer utility generally gives seven days. Other provider types may follow different rules.
Can a medical condition stop shutoff?
A proper statement from a licensed doctor or public health official can postpone a regulated utility shutoff for 10 days. It does not erase the bill.
Can a township trustee pay utilities?
Sometimes. Trustees may help eligible residents with necessary utilities under local written standards. Ask for a written decision and appeal information if assistance is denied.
Is there statewide water assistance?
The temporary Indiana LIHWAP water program has ended with no additional funding. Ask your water provider, trustee, 211, and local city programs about current help.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 16, 2026, next review October 16, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.