The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help you pay your heat and electric bills! EAP is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In Indiana, LIHEAP is administered through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). LHDC operates this program in Crawford, Perry, and Spencer Counties.
EAP provides a one-time benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and may be able to help if you are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.
You can apply online OR an application can be mailed to you.
EAP provides a one-time benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and may be able to help if you are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.
You can apply online OR an application can be mailed to you.
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When applying for EAP you will be asked to provide:
There may be other documents required. If you are unsure, please contact LHDC by email or call 1-800-467-1435, ext. 275. Once your application is complete and you have gathered the required documents, please send them to LHDC at the address below. Lincoln Hills Development Corporation ATTN: EAP P.O. Box 336 Tell City, IN 47586 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should I do if I am about to be disconnected?
If you are in disconnect, please do not mail your application! A mail-in application may take too long to process to prevent being disconnected! Please call LHDC 1-800-467-1435, ext. 275 or submit an online application and indicate that you are in crisis. What other kinds of Utility Assistance is available?
The EAP program may not be able to cover all of your utility bill or you may not be eligible in certain circumstances. Other resources for utility assistance:
When Can I apply for EAP?
You can apply for a heating benefit starting in September 2020. September, 2020 Applications begin to be accepted at Local Service Providers. November 2, 2020 The 2020-2021 Energy Assistance Program benefits begin to be transferred to utility vendors. No payments are made to customers or utility vendors prior to November 2, 2020. December 1, 2020 Start of Moratorium protection. Clients with active service who have applied for EAP are protected from disconnection until March 15, 2021. March 15, 2021 End of Moratorium protection. May 14, 2021 End of the EAP heating season. Last day for households to apply. How long will it take before I get my benefit?
Local Service Agencies may take 55 days (from the date your application is submitted or November 1st, whichever is later) to process your application. Once you have received an approval notification, 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. How can I appeal if I was denied or if I believe my benefit amount is incorrect?
If you feel you have been wrongly denied, or that your benefit amount was calculated incorrectly, you may file an appeal. You must send your appeal to LHDC or your Local Service Provider within ten (10) business days of receipt of the denial. This will be who sent you the denial. LHDC or your Local Service Agency will review your appeal and send you a written response within ten (10) business days. If you are not satisfied with the LHDC or your Local Service Provider’s determination, you may request formal review by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). You can work with your LHDC or your Local Service Provider to have them submit the appeal for you or you can submit it directly to IHCDA. This request must be made within ten (10) business days of receipt of the LSP’s appeal determination. IHCDA’s Community Programs Manager will review your appeal and issue a response in writing within ten (10) business days of receipt. If you needs assistance with this procedure, please email IHCDA at liheap@ihcda.in.gov or call 317-232-7777. Please send your formal appeal to: IHCDA Attn: Community Programs Manager, EAP 30 South Meridian St, Suite 900 Indianapolis, IN 46204. What is Moratorium?
The Moratorium law (Indiana Code 8-1-2-121) 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 utilities that are electric or gas, including a municipally owned, privately owned, or cooperatively-owned utility. What is the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)?
Households completing the EAP application may be eligible for weatherization. Simply check the box on the application to indicate that you are interested in weatherization. Your household will be contacted by mail to let you know the next steps. Not all homes that are eligible for weatherization assistance may get assistance due to wait lists.
YOUR APPEAL RIGHTS AND RIGHT TO TIMELY PROCESSING OF YOUR ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION
Please note that an LSP has 55 days to determine eligibility of an EAP application when the application is delivered by means, including but not limited to drop-off, mail, fax, e-mail, an electronic portal, or by proxy. When a heating crisis situation exists (defined as when a utility disconnection notice has been received, utility has already been disconnected, propane or fuel oil at or below 25% of a tank, or within 10 days of running out of other bulk deliverable fuel), LSPs must provide a mitigating action within 48 hours. In cases where a life-threatening crisis situation exists (defined as when a utility is already disconnected or bulk fuel heating source is already disconnected and there is a documented medical need in the household with an extreme safety concern), LSPs must provide a mitigating action within 18 hours. A mitigating action may or may not necessarily include determining eligibility of an EAP application within this time frame. Please also note that the program officially opens, and the timeline for application approval begins, on November 1. Therefore, even if you submitted your application early, an LSP has until 55 days from November 1 to determine eligibility on an application if there is no crisis situation present. All other processing timelines will begin no earlier than November 1. You have the right to request an appeal if your Energy Assistance Program (EAP) application is not acted upon in a timely manner once it has been received by the Local Service Provider (LSP) administering EAP in your area. In order to request an appeal for an EAP application not acted upon in a timely manner, please submit a written request for a review of your case along with all relevant facts to your LSP. You will receive an official written response to your appeal within ten (10) business days of receipt. The written response will include instructions for a second appeal if you are not satisfied with the response. If an EAP application is denied for any reason, you have a right to submit another application, with updated supporting documentation, 55 days after your previous application submission.. Other Resources
The State of Indiana manages EAP policy and operations. Public comment is welcome. Please send comments to liheap@ihcda.in.gov. |
