Resources to Help You With Energy Costs

NineStar Connect is aware of the financial hardships many families are facing. There are several resources available to help you pay your energy bills.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• LIHEAP is a federally-funded grant program that helps low-income households meet their immediate home energy needs
• The LIHEAP fund received a sizable allocation of new federal funds as part of the coronavirus stimulus program
• LIHEAP funds are distributed through local Community Action Agencies (CAA)

Find Your Local Office

• All Indiana counties have intake offices
• Contact the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority by calling (800) 872-0371 or online for a county-by-county directory

Indiana 211

• The mission of 2-1-1 (Connect2Help) is to facilitate connections between people who need human services and those who provide them. Resources for utility bill assistance can be found by dialing 2-1-
• 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that provides Hoosiers with help and answers from thousands of health and human service agencies and resources in their local communities
• 211 provides additional help with:

Extreme Weather Disconnection Policy

To protect the health and safety of our members, NineStar Connect will not disconnect electric service during periods of extreme weather conditions.

• Service disconnections for nonpayment will be suspended when the outdoor temperature is below 30°F.
• Service disconnections will also be suspended when the heat index is forecasted to reach 95°F or higher within the next 48 hours.

Disconnections may resume once temperature conditions improve beyond these thresholds.

Members are encouraged to contact us if they are experiencing difficulty paying their bill, so we can discuss available payment arrangements and assistance options.

Energy Assistance Program

The 2026 Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to assist income-eligible customers with winter heating bills. It is funded through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant.

Eligibility is based solely on income and is available to eligible Hoosiers during the winter months until funds run out. Applications for the 2026 program year will be accepted Oct. 1, 2025, through April 20, 2026. Applications for this program are processed by community action agencies throughout the state. For a list of community action agencies in your area visit the Indiana Community Action Association website.

For the 2026 EAP season, 2-1-1 will no longer complete applications by phone, although applicants can call 2-1-1 for information regarding additional resources.

Indiana households making 60% of the state median income (SMI) or less may qualify for EAP benefits. A detailed breakdown of income qualifications follows. Income eligibility is based on the most recent three months of income.

To learn more about EAP qualifications and benefits or to apply for assistance, please visit the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority.