Help for Families

Utility Costs

NWICA can provide assistance with utility bills through several different programs  SERVICE AREA: Lake, Porter, Jasper, and Newton Counties

Energy Assistance Program - EAP

The Energy Assistance Program can help low-income households with grants for winter heating expenses and summer cooling assistance.

EAP will provide households with a one-time winter payment for their energy bills.

Who Is Eligible?

• Utility Customers
• Renter or Homeowner
• Household Annual Income at or below 150% of federal poverty guideline

How Do I Apply?
Call your local intake center.
You will need to provide these documents:
• Social Security Cards for all household members
• Proof of Income for past 12 months
• Current Utility Bills
• Copy of lease for subsidized housing tenants

A past due bill or disconnection notice is not required.
Assistance is available for natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and electricity.

Benefit amount is determined by:
• household size
• income (max.150% of Poverty)
• heating fuel type
• persons at risk (elderly, disabled,and children age 5 and under)
•  type of dwelling

Note: Deposits and Reconnection fees are NOT payable under Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Winter Warmth

In the communities of Hammond and East Chicago, NWICA provides utility assistance with the Winter Warmth program. Winter Warmth is a utility-paid assistance program provided by NIPSCO to assist needy households facing disconnection or whoes utility service has been turn off.

Qualifying customers will be eligible to receive up to $450 in annual energy assistance. Eligibility requirements include those customers up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, in addition to those who have a financial hardship situation as determined by an administering Winter Warmth agency.

To qualify for Winter Warmth, families must first apply for EAP.

Winter Warmth Press Release
Winter Warmth Sites

For more information call 2-1-1.