Winter Drains Utility Coffers
The effects of a harsh winter are still being felt as Indiana announces there is no money left over to assist low-income people with summer utility bills.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority revealed Monday that winter heating bill assistance cost $47.8 million, which has drained the coffers.
“Anytime a program’s funding is cut, it affects our clients,” said Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of Client Services for Combined Community Services. “Utility cuts are especially difficult coming directly after a harsh winter, (other) funding cuts and the recent propane shortage.”
CCS already saw decreases in its utility funding this year, largely due to NIPSCO phasing out both of its Winter Warmth and Gift of Warmth programs over the last two years. CCS does distribute NIPSCO Hardship Funds, which are only for NIPSCO customers who are between 151% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, that program assists only with the gas portion of consumers bills.
“Unfortunately, EAP clients do not qualify for this because the financial guidelines are too high,” said Lisenbee-Wright. “I am working to get donations to our utility programs, both to help through this summer and for the upcoming winter when having utilities is literally a matter of life and death.”
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority said it has no money for the summer Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program after helping more than 130,000 households over the winter.
The summer program has traditionally provided a $50 benefit directly to utility companies for households that participated in the winter program. The authority says administrating agencies with remaining funds may provide crisis assistance of $200 or less to eligible households who receive disconnection notices through August.