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) and is known as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). LHDC operates the program in Crawford, Perry, and Spencer Counties.
The purpose the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is assist eligible Indiana 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. This program is available to both renters and homeowners.
The program begins November 1st of each year. You can apply online OR an application can be mailed to you.
The purpose the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is assist eligible Indiana 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. This program is available to both renters and homeowners.
The program begins November 1st of each year. 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:
A completed and signed application. Copy of your photo ID, such as a driver's license or state issued ID card. Copy of Social Security cards for ALL household members. Proof of income for the past 3 months for all household members age 18 and over. If you have had no income at any time during the last three months, please fill out the Income Verification Affidavit. Most recent electric bill (must include name, service address, and account number). Most recent heat bill or account statement (must include name, service address, and account number). If your utilities are included in your rent, please include a current lease, or have your landlord complete a Landlord Affidavit. Additional documents may be requested as needed. For more information about the Energy Assistance Program, please contact us by email at eap@lhdc.org or call 1-800-467-1435, ext. 275. Completed applications, including all required documentation, can be submitted online, or mailed to: Lincoln Hills Development Corporation ATTN: EAP P.O. Box 336 Tell City, IN 47586 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
when can i apply for EAP?
The goal of the Energy Assistance Program is to help with the high cost of heating your home during the winter months. You can be approved once each heating season (November – May). Applications packets should be available starting no later than October. However, please note, the program’s actual start date is November 1st. We can not approve applications or make pledges to utility companies until the actual start of the program. The last day to turn in an application is May 16, 2022. Since this is a winter heat assistance program, we are not able to offer the program during the summer months. How long will it take to find out if i'm approved?
The Energy Assistance Program begins on November 1st. Once the program begins, it may take up to 55 days (from the date your application is turned or November 1st, whichever is later) 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 can take some time. You can help by completing all sections of the application form and providing ALL required documentation in a timely manner. Applications with incomplete information or missing documentation cannot be approved. Once a determination has been made, you will receive an approval notification by mail. Benefits are paid by IHCDA directly to your utility company. After receiving this 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 WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM ABOUT TO BE 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. 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. WHAT OTHER KINDS OF UTILITY ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
The EAP program may not be able to cover all your utility bill or in certain circumstances you may not be eligible. Other resources for utility assistance: Connect2Help: Dial 2-1-1 Township Trustee Salvation Army Catholic Charities 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)?
The goal of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Typical services may include an inspection of the home’s primary heat source, adding/improving the home’s insulation, sealing and/or weatherstripping.
Households interested in weatherization should check the box on the EAP application to indicate that you are interested in weatherization. Your household will be contacted by mail to let you know the next steps. Please note that there is a wait list for this program. WHAT IF I WAS DENIED OR BELIEVE MY BENEFIT AMOUNT IS INCORRECT?
Once we receive your application in our office, we make every effort to process your application as accurately as possible. You can help us by ensuring you have completed all questions on the application and have provided ALL required documentation. After a determination has been made, you will receive a notification letter. If you have any questions or concerns about the letter, your first step is to contact our office. If you are unsatisfied with the answer you receive, you have the right to make a formal appeal. Applicants may appeal any eligibility determinations they disagree with, including the approved benefit amount, a denial, or concerns that the application was not acted upon in a timely manner. Information about the formal appeal process will be included with your notification letter. To begin the process, you will be asked to submit a written appeal to LHDC within thirty (30) business days of receipt of 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 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. |
