As the winter months approach and the outside temperatures drop, heating bills inevitably go up.
District 48 State Senator Mark Messmer of Jasper says some Hoosiers may be eligible for energy assistance through the Low Income Heating Assistance Program managed by the local Energy Assistance Program in their area.
Messmer says there are also other ways for Hoosiers to manage bill payments, including programs provided by Duke Energy:
The Helping Hand Program by Duke Energy maintains a customer assistance program composed of contributions from its employees, shareholders and customers. Duke Energy Indiana partners with the Indiana Community Action Association and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Energy Assistance Program, which distributes the company’s assistance funds.
The Budget Billing program allows a customer to avoid bill spikes by paying in regular monthly installments.
There’s the Adjusted Due Date where customers may be able to adjust the due date of their utility bill to a monthly date that coincides with the timing of their income. This is a popular program with seniors on Social Security.
The Third-Party Notification allows a customer to have a copy of their monthly bill sent to a friend or relative in addition to the bill they receive.
And the High Bill Alert where some online consumers who have been Duke Energy customers for at least 12 months may qualify for a “high bill alert,” which notifies customers when hotter or colder weather is causing usage and bills to trend upward.
Messmer also says 2-1-1 Can Help.
Of course you can contact Messmer’s office directly with questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
