Help paying your electric bill in Indiana
Indiana got $87.1 million in the HHS table, about $32 for each of its 2,681,537 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 317-232-7777. Heating help reached 122,015 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Indiana
- Indiana LIHEAP public line317-232-7777
- State program siteihcda.in.gov
- Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission800-851-4268 · 317-232-2712 · in.gov/iurc · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Indiana
Indiana: cold weather by dates; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Indiana |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | December 1 - March 15 |
| Hot temperature | Within 48 hours of the National Weather Service forecasting a heat index of at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Health or age needs | "The utility must postpone a disconnection for 10 days if you provide a medical statement from a licensed doctor or a public health official." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Winter Moratorium Disconnection FAQ; Indiana Disconnection Regulations; Indiana General Assembly 2026 Session - House Bill 1002 - Electric utility affordability.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 170 IAC 4-1-16; Ind. Code 8-1-2-121 (winter, via OUCC page). Indiana's electric rule requires 14 days' written notice, shutoffs only 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and a 10-day postponement (renewable once) with a physician or health-official statement. The rule has no season ban; a statute reported by the OUCC bars winter (Dec 1 to Mar 15) disconnection for Energy Assistance Program applicants or recipients. Hardship payment arrangements also bar disconnection. Quote: “a utility shall postpone the disconnection of service for ten (10) days if”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII (rule); Indiana OUCC page https://www.in.gov/oucc/about-your-rates/winter-disconnection-moratorium-frequently-asked-questions/ (statute summary)).
| Point | Indiana: 170 IAC 4-1-16; Ind. Code 8-1-2-121 (winter, via OUCC page) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 170 IAC 4-1-16 has no season or temperature ban. OUCC page (secondary): between December 1 and March 15 electric and gas utilities may not disconnect a customer who is receiving or qualified for federal Energy Assistance Program funds, has applied at the local intake office and gave the utility written proof (IC 8-1-2-121); the utility's discretion otherwise governs temperature/children. |
| Heat | no hot-weather protection found in the text read |
| Who is protected | (c): utility must postpone disconnection 10 days on a medical statement from a licensed physician or public health official that disconnection is a serious and immediate threat to health or safety of a designated household member; renewable for one further 10 days with another statement. Also no disconnection for merchandise/appliances, other-location bill unpaid under 45 days, previous occupant, different class of service; hardship payment arrangement and billing-error arrangements bar disconnection. |
| Notice | (e): 14 days' prior written notice by mail or personal delivery, not before the account is delinquent; notice must state date, reason, utility phone number and reference to rights pamphlet. Disconnection only 8 a.m.-3 p.m., none on or after noon before a day the utility office is closed. Field employee must identify, announce purpose, and accept proof of payment/dispute. |
| Payment plan | (c)(2): no disconnection if customer shows cause for inability to pay (hardship) and pays a reasonable portion (not over $10 or 1/10 of bill, whichever less, unless agreed greater), agrees to pay the rest within three months and future bills, and has not breached a similar agreement in 12 months; terms in writing. Separate arrangement for bills inflated by utility error. |
| Who the rule covers | 170 IAC 4-1 is the electric-utility rule article (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission); OUCC page says the IC 8-1-2-121 winter moratorium applies to investor-owned, municipal and REMC electric and gas utilities. Statute text itself not read (Justia/IGA blocked). |
| Complaints | Review under 170 IAC 16-1-5 stops disconnection except as in 170 IAC 16-1-7; notice must give utility number; OUCC page names Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority 1-800-872-0371 for EAP intake (not a complaint line). |
IC 8-1-2-121 statute text not read directly (secondary OUCC summary only); other 170 IAC articles and utility tariffs not read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Indiana: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Indiana | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $87,120,620 = $76,010,359 + $2,265,774 IIJA + $8,844,487 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating & Crisis: 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $100 minimum, $625 maximum Winter Crisis: $800 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 122,015 Winter Crisis: 46,480 Weatherization: 214 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - April 20 Crisis: October 1 - April 20 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVIndiana in numbers
- Indiana ranks 29th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($32), 20th on households below the poverty line (12.3%) and 22nd on low-income energy burden (9.4%).
- Per household below the poverty line (329,134 of them) the FY26 funds come to $265, rank 31st of 51: 14% of a typical year's electricity ($1,864). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 109,750 households got help in FY2022 against 682,947 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 16% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $536, 29% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - April 20. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $32 (Kentucky) to $45 (Michigan); low-income burden from 8.9% (Illinois) to 10.2% (Kentucky). Indiana: $32 and 9.4%.
Where Indiana's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Warren County 15.9% (757 households); Perry County 15.8% (2,181 households); Dearborn County 14.0% (4,381 households); Pulaski County 13.7% (1,408 households).
- Most low-income households: Marion County 115,147 (8.3%); Lake County 53,501 (9.7%); Allen County 38,247 (8.7%).
92 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Indiana?
Indiana sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $70,051.
How heavy is the energy bill in Indiana?
9.4% of income in low-income households, 2.7% overall. Ranking, Indiana prices.
| Group | Count | Indiana detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 682,947 households | 9.4% of income; $1,854 a year on $19,673 | rank 22 of 51 |
| All households | 2,653,596 households | 2.7%; $2,295 on $84,310 | rank 18 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 329,134 households | 12.3% of 2,681,537 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 20 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 16.23 ¢/kWh | bill $155 a month at 957 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Indiana
- Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) CARE Provides bill reductions in addition to LIHEAP for customers falling within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Once they are approved for LIHEAP, customers are automatically enrolled in the program and reductions...
- Emergency Charitable Assistance Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
- Warm Heart, Warm Home Foundation Assists families and individuals who are faced with financial hardships. Citizens Energy Group matches customer donations up to $50,000. 317-924-3311 Winter Assistance Fund This fund, administered by the United Way, is for Marion...
- Decatur County REMC Operation Roundup Customer donations provide charitable assistance to individuals, families and organizations. Funds will not be used for utility bill payments. Applications are available on the utility's website. 812-663-3391
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Citizens Energy, Citizens Gas, Decatur County REMC, Duke Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Indianapolis Power & Light and 7 more.
Indiana on the map
Next to Indiana
Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio. Most FY26 funds per household: Michigan, $45. Indiana: $32. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Indiana
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission sets rules).
- Call 317-232-7777 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, 800-851-4268.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How much LIHEAP money does Indiana get?
$87.1 million in FY2026, $32 per household, rank 29 of 51.
What income limit does Indiana use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $70,051; FY2022 heating standard 196% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Indiana?
Call 317-232-7777. Site: www.ihcda.in.gov
Can Indiana utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; temperature for heat. December 1 - March 15
How big is the energy burden in Indiana?
9.4% of income for low-income households, 2.7% for all; $1,854 a year for the first group.
How many Indiana households got energy help?
109,750 in FY2022, 122,015 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $536.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Indiana bill?
$265 per poor household, 14% of $1,864.