The Northern Indiana Public Service Company is reminding low-income customers with outstanding balances that the statewide moratorium on service disconnections is scheduled to be lifted on Saturday, March 15.

Several assistance programs are available to help customers who are finding it difficult to pay their heating bills, NIPSCO said in a statement released today.

“We want to remind our low-income customers that the end of the moratorium is rapidly approaching and that we’re prepared to work together to get customers the assistance they need,” NIPSCO spokesperson Colleen Reilly said. “Our goal is to keep our customers connected so they can stay warm and be safe in their houses.”

Between Dec. 1 and March 15 natural gas utilities in Indiana do not disconnect service to customers enrolled in the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and who are delinquent in their home heating bills.

“We experienced colder-than-normal temperatures in late January and February, causing higher home heating bills,” Reilly said. “We want to do what we can to help our customers address payment issues. It’s imperative that any customer, regardless of income, call us with bill-payment trouble immediately so we have an opportunity to work together to get the customer the assistance they need or see if they qualify for a payment plan.”

Programs available:

*State Energy Assistance Program provides qualifying families with bill and crisis assistance. The maximum amount which a household may receive is $535, including a $200 crisis grant. Household income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

*Winter Warmth Program provides qualifying natural gas customers with bill and deposit assistance. Qualifying customers will be eligible to receive up to $450 in annual energy assistance. Eligibility requirements include those customers up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, in additional to those who have a financial hardship situation as determined by an administering Winter Warmth agency.

*Gift of Warmth Fuel Fund provides eligible low-income customers whose incomes are at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, and who have received a disconnect notice, with heating bill assistance. NIPSCO matches agency contributions dollar for dollar.

*Township trustees provide customers with home heating bill assistance. Customers are encouraged to visit their township trustees to see what help is available.

A complete listing of intake sites for the Energy Assistance Program, the Winter Warmth Program, and the Gift of Warmth Fuel Fund can be found on NIPSCO’s website at www.nipsco.com by clicking “Manage Your Home Account” on the home page.

Posted 3/12/2008