Winter assistance programs to help with costs this season

The holidays should be a time for celebration, but it can be difficult for families struggling with the extra costs. The Recorder has compiled a list of winter assistance programs and resources in Indiana and Marion County to help Hoosiers get through the winter. Energy Assistance Program The Energy Assistance program (EAP) is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help families in need with heating and electric bills during the winter. This is often the first step for families seeking assistance as it provides eligible households with a one-time annual benefit to assist with high-cost energy and utility bills if heating and electricity has been shut off or is about to be shut off. The benefits are paid directly to the applicant’s utility vendor for heating and electric costs.& Households in crisis — threat of disconnect — qualify for up to $400 per utility. Unfortunately, benefit amounts are expected to be lower than previous years, according to Indyeap.org, and the program does not assist with water bills, nor does it cover all annual heating and electric costs. Applicants should still pay bills regularly. The program features a rolling process, which began...