Energy Assistance Program (EAP)

The goal of the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is to assist income-eligible households with the high cost of heating their homes during the winter. If approved, your household would be eligible for a one-time benefit to be paid directly to your heat and electric provider. Households may be approved once each heating season (November - April). The program is available to both renters and homeowners. LHDC offers the program in Crawford, Harrison, Perry, and Spencer counties.

WHAT IS THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)?

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This grant allows individual states to help income-eligible households with the high cost of heating their homes in winter. In Indiana, this program is administered through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) (link: https://www.in.gov/ihcda/) and is known as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). LHDC operates the program in Crawford, Harrison, Perry, and Spencer counties.

EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy during the winter and can help if you are disconnected or are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all your annual heating and electric costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR EAP?

Application packets will be available starting no later than October. However, please note that the program’s actual start date is November 1st. LHDC cannot approve applications or make pledges to utility companies until the actual start of the program. Incomplete applications may delayed or denied.
Interested households can pick up an application at any LHDC office, apply online, or download the application from our website.
When applying for EAP you will be asked to provide:
· A complete and signed application form.
· Proof of income for the past three complete months.
· Individuals with no income or gaps in income will need to complete an Income Verification Affidavit.
· Most recent electric and heat bill/statement (must be the full bill).
· If your utilities are included in your rent, your landlord must complete a Landlord Affidavit.
Your household can be approved once each heating season (November - April)

WHAT ARE THE INCOME GUIDELINES?

Household income is counted for the most recent three (3) complete months.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIND OUT IF I’M APPROVED?

Please allow up to 55 days from the date your application is turned in (or November 1st, whichever is later) for us to process your application. EAP staff make every effort to process each application as quickly and accurately as possible. However, due to the high volume of applications received at the start of the program this takes time. You can help by completing all sections of the application form and providing ALL required documentation in a timely manner. Incomplete applications cannot be approved!

If approved, you will receive an approval notification letter by mail. Benefits are paid by IHCDA directly to your utility company. After receiving your notification letter, it may be up to 60 days before you see a credit on your utility bill or account statement. Please continue to pay your utility bills while waiting for your EAP benefit to appear on your account!

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM ABOUT TO GET DISCONNECTED?

Have you received a disconnect notice? Is your propane running low? Please call LHDC at 1-800-467-1435, ext. 275. Our trained EAP staff will help you complete the application process as quickly as possible. You will also want to contact your utility company and find out if they are willing to extend the deadline to pay while we work with you to complete the application process. The utility company may also be willing to work out a payment arrangement that would allow you to pay down your balance over time.

For information about additional utility assistance in your area, please click on the county you live in:

Crawford County
Harrison County
Perry County
Spencer County

WHAT IS MORATORIUM PROTECTION?

Moratorium Protection is covered under Indiana law (Indiana Code 8-1-2-121). This law states that from December 1 through March 15 of any year, a regulated utility company may not turn off residential utility service to any customer who is eligible for and who have been approved for the Energy Assistance Program. This includes electric and natural gas, and includes utilities that are municipally owned, privately owned, or cooperatively owned. Between March 16th and November 30th regulated utilities are allowed to disconnect you due to non-payment.

WHAT IF I WAS DENIED OR BELIEVE MY BENEFIT AMOUNT IS INCORRECT?

After a determination has been made, you will receive a notification letter letting you know if you are approved or denied. If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility determination, including the approved benefit amount, a denial, or the timeliness of our response to your application, please contact our office (by phone, email, or mail) to talk to our trained EAP staff.

If you are unsatisfied with the answer you receive, you have the right to make a formal appeal. Information about the formal appeal process will be included on your notification letter. All formal appeals must be in writing to LHDC within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving your notification letter. Include the reason for your appeal and any additional information and/or documentation you would like to have considered. LHDC will review your appeal and send you a written response within fourteen (14) calendar days.

If you are not satisfied with LHDC’s response to your appeal, you may request a formal review by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). You can work with LHDC to have us submit the appeal for you or you can submit it directly to IHCDA. This request must be made within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of LHDCs appeal determination. All decisions by IHCDA are final.

IS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE DURING THE SUMMER?

Keep in mind that the goal of the Energy Assistance Program is to help with the high cost of heating your home during the winter months. Your household can be approved once each heating season. Currently, this program is not offered during the summer months.