LIHEAP FAQ Sheet - LIHEAP Assistance

This site is privately owned and is not affiliated with any government agency. Learn more here

LIHEAP FAQ Sheet

Table of Contents 

What Is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Indiana, LIHEAP is administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.

For more information about LIHEAP in Indiana, click here.

What Does LIHEAP Cover in Indiana?

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:

  • Past-due utility bills
  • Deliverable fuel (propane and oil)
  • Disconnection/reconnection fees
  • Repairs and replacements of worn parts on units
  • Home weatherization

For more information about LIHEAP’s heating and cooling assistance initiative in Indiana, see the Indiana state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.

About LIHEAP Crisis Assistance

LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.

If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.

The state of Indiana defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:

  • Is in danger of having their utilities disconnected.
  • Has no more than 25 percent of propane and fuel left.
  • Has no more than 10 days of biofuel (corn, wood or coal) left.

A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:

  • A household has already had their utilities disconnected by their service provider.
  • A member of the household is a medical or health risk because of energy loss.
  • A household needs a propane tank safety inspection.

For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $500.

Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.

How Much Assistance Does LIHEAP Provide in Indiana?

To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will consider:

  1. Your household size and income for the month prior to your application
  2. The fuel type you need (electricity, propane, natural gas, or heating oil)

Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.

As of 2022, the maximum annual heating benefit amount in Indiana is $1,250 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $225. The cooling benefit amount in Indiana has not yet been determined.

How to Qualify for LIHEAP in Indiana

To qualify for LIHEAP in Indiana, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of the state
  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
  • Have an out-of-pocket energy expense from an account opened in the name of the head of the household or their spouse
  • Have an annual income that is less than the LIHEAP income limit for your household size, which is no more than 150 percent of the established Federal Poverty Level. To view the annual income limits, click here.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority prioritize households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.

Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Indiana here.

If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more here.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn more here.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Learn more here.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in Indiana

Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP assistance from October 1, 2020 until May 16, 2023 for 2023 season. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.

To apply for LIHEAP in Indiana, complete the following three steps:

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether by phone or in person. 

Find your nearest Local Service Provider (LSP) office and contact information by using the interactive map found here.

  1. Submit the LIHEAP application and other required documents.

Access the Indiana LIHEAP application through the LSP office.

Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted from November 1st until August 21st.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Local Service Provider (LSP) office. Find your nearest LSP office using the interactive map found here.

What You Will Need to Apply

When applying for Indiana LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:

  • Personal and financial information about yourself and the members of your household
  • Details about your home and its heating and cooling

The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:

  • Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Utility bill information (vendor name and account number)
  • Residence information (landlord’s name, address and phone number, if renting)
  • Income verification for the last three months (pay stubs)

Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.

How to Check Your Application Status

You can call the Local Service Provider office where you applied directly to check your application status.

Click here to use the interactive map to find your local office and contact information.

What Happens After You Apply for LIHEAP in Indiana?

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will notify you within 10 days if you applied in person or within 55 days of receiving your application by another method. If you are approved to receive crisis assistance, action will be taken within 18 to 48 hours.

All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

If you are denied Indiana LIHEAP benefits, you may reapply in 55 days  or you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your Local Service Provider (LSP) office where you applied within 10 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local LSP office using the interactive map here.

If the LSP representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. To begin this process, write a formal appeal and mail it to:
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
Attn: Community Programs Manager, EAP
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 900
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Once the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.

If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority:

Need More Help?

If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Indiana or require further assistance, contact your Local Service Provider office. Find your nearest Local Service Provider (LSP) office and contact information by using the interactive map here.

You can also contact the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority benefit phone line at (317) 232-7777 or at liheap@ihcda.in.gov.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.

Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

Last Updated: September 16, 2022