Daniels: Indiana will have ample home heating help

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BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
317.637.9078 | Tuesday, October 07, 2008 | (10 comment(s))

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana has a record $106 million available to help low-income Hoosiers with heating bills that could rise by nearly a third this winter, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Monday.

"Our team has been planning for this winter for months now," Daniels said at a Statehouse news conference. "We've never been more prepared to help Hoosiers, and we're starting earlier than ever because we expect it to be a difficult year for winter energy costs."

The announcement came a day before scheduled energy cost forecasts by the U.S. Energy Information Agency and local utility NIPSCO.

Congress last week doubled state funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, bringing Indiana's base grant to $103.7 million. The state also can tap a $2.5 million reserve that was left after distributing $71 million in LIHEAP assistance last winter.

Hoosiers earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty line -- less than $31,800 for a family of four -- are eligible for a lump-sum assistance payment sent directly to their utility provider. Participation also allows customers behind on utility payments to stave off disconnection until spring.

Last winter, the program delivered a $320 average benefit to more than 159,000 Indiana households, an increase of 15,000 participants. Daniels said the heating assistance program helped every Hoosier who applied last winter, and he expects that to continue this winter.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority on Monday began accepting applications from the local community action groups that administer the home heating assistance. Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp. in Hammond typically oversees the program for Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties.

NEED HEATING HELP?

Call the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority at (800) 872-0371 or contact:

Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp.

5518 Calumet Ave.

Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 937-3500

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RedNeck wrote on Jan 29, 2009 9:32 PM:

" Ya'll are pathetic. Get better jobs and quite crin' about what rbrtyonr owes you "

Joe Average wrote on Nov 12, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Social programs started out of the moral and Christian imperitive that we need to help those most in need of it.
Somewhere along the way it became a way of garnering votes (about the time when poor people changed form R to D).
Soon the D's figured out that if you keep people poor, in fear, undereducated and clustered together they will vote for you time and time again.
The programs were never supposed to help all poor, they were supposed to help those most at risk.
What "at risk" means varries wildly depending on who's writing the rules and how much money they apropriate for the effort.
When the war finally ends, and we've blown the next ten or so years of tax revenue in a year, we're going to have to pay the bills. The interest alone will consume all the revenue America brings in.
If you think it's tough now, wait a couple years. There will be no money for anything benefitting any American, much less the poor. "

To annoyed wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Please check the official table for income limits. "

annoyed wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:29 PM:

" so a single mother like myself receiving zero child support, and making a tad over the amt stated cannot get any heat help as well....i work 2 jobs too....i dont understand why a family of 4? so if i had 2 more kids i would qualify? "

ME TOO wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:59 PM:

" I ALSO WILL BE TURNING IN THE PEOPLE I KNOW ABUSE THE SYSTEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO NOT GET MARRIED,HAVE CHILDREN, LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE W/2 INCOMES BUT STILL APPLY AND GET EVERY KIND OF ASSISTANCE THERE IS,-NIPSCO,SEC 8,FOOD STAMPS,COLLEGE TUTION AND MUCH MUCH MORE!!!! TURN THEM ALL IN!!!!! "

Re Fed Up wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:55 PM:

" I agree with you, But imagine if you are a Combat Veteran and cannot get help anywhere? Since My company went to Mexico I cannot find a job anywhere, Even flipping Burgers, I was refused for Welfare and Food stamps and the VA is worthless and have been to Work One so many times The Hammond Office should be named after me!This counry only cares about the Millionaires, people like us are non essential!I would like to tell you it will get better for both of us but don't count on it! "

This sucks wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:46 PM:

" My spouse & I work two good jobs. I mean we could use better jobs but we do with what we have. With gas prices being as high as they are life is difficult for all of us. My family of four doesn't qualify for this help but we could use it. We're a few thousand dollars higher than $31,800 so we don't get any help. When will they higher the income guidelines now that the gas prices have risen?? "

Fed Up wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:28 PM:

" I agree with Jan. My spouse and I are killing ourselves trying to make ends meet and working jobs that we don't necessarily like...but we work to survive. When are the rest of us going to get a hand up? I'm fed up with paying my bills on time and paying my taxes so others can reap the benefits. Prices keep escalating; taxes keep escalating. No one is helping us. We take on extra jobs to pay the bills. My spouse was out of work for 4 months for medical reasons. No one stepped up to help us. Oh, that's right, we didn't qualify for help. Now, we sit waiting for our tax bill to arrive. Are we going to be pleasantly surprised that it's 30% less? We're not holding our breath. "

jan wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:36 PM:

" not just low income families are hit with larger heating bills ! So are the middle class ! Why can't middle class be offered the same thing. I know people who's boyfriend lives with them. And the female on her income gets the help every year. Her boyfriend lives with her and has good income.But they don't tell Nipsco. This year if i know you i promise that i will turn you in for fraud !!!!! I encourage everyone to do the same !!!! "

Geezer wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:55 AM:

" I can't wait for my $107 check to help me pay my $250.00 a month heating bill.
Get real mitch and put some real cash up. "

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