NIPSCO Provides Funds for Arrearages and Deposits

On January 20, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced funding of $656,000 to HEAT Aid, a program to help customers with arrearages and deposits for reconnection.

LIHEAP-eligible customers, at 125 percent or less of federal poverty guidelines, can receive a maximum of $300 toward their deposit if their NIPSCO gas service is currently disconnected.

Customers with an annual income of 126 percent to 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines are eligible for a maximum of $300 toward their outstanding NIPSCO gas bill. Applicants must have received a delinquent bill notice since November 1, or must be attempting to restore service after disconnection.

All participants must pay a $100 matching contribution to receive NIPSCO aid.

The new aid comes out of the $3.8 million that NIPSCO was ordered to return to customers last year by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. The agency made the order after disagreeing with NIPSCO's increase of gas prices last March.

Customers can seek the aid at 15 Salvation Army centers from Fort Wayne to East Chicago.

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005