If NIPSCO is your gas or electric company and money’s been tight, several programs may be able to help with your energy bills. NIPSCO says the application period for its income-eligible assistance programs opens October 1, 2026.
The options aren’t all the same. Some provide help with current energy costs, some offer ongoing bill discounts, and others provide one-time assistance toward past-due natural gas bills.
Here’s how EAP, CARE, Hardship, SERV, and SILVER work and what to check before you apply.
What Is the Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP)?
The Energy Assistance Program, or EAP, is Indiana’s federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
It isn’t a NIPSCO-only program. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) administers EAP statewide through local service providers.
Who Qualifies for EAP?
Eligibility is primarily based on household income.
The current published guidelines on NIPSCO’s assistance page are still for the 2025–26 program year and set the limit at 60% of Indiana’s State Median Income (SMI).
Those published annual limits are:
- 1 person: $33,556
- 2 people: $43,882
- 3 people: $54,207
- 4 people: $64,533
Income limits increase for larger households.
These figures are from the previous program year, so households applying for the 2026–27 season should check the updated limits when they are published rather than relying on these numbers as the final eligibility limits for the new season.
Your local EAP service provider makes the final eligibility determination.
What Does EAP Cover?
EAP provides a one-time annual benefit to eligible households to help with home energy costs, including heating and electric expenses.
The benefit amount varies based on program rules and household circumstances. In most cases, approved assistance is paid directly to the household’s utility or heating vendor.
EAP may also provide crisis assistance for eligible households facing disconnection or other qualifying energy emergencies.
How to Apply for EAP
EAP applications are processed through Indiana’s network of local service providers.
When applications open for the new season:
- Visit the official Indiana EAP website at eap.ihcda.in.gov for current application information.
- Find the local service provider that serves your county.
- Check that agency’s application options and schedule.
- Gather the documents requested for your household.
Current IHCDA guidance tells applicants to be prepared with documents such as:
- Proof of household income
- Current utility bills or account statements
- Housing or lease information when applicable
- A Tenant Verification Statement or lease if utilities are included in rent
Income documentation requirements can vary by situation, so follow the instructions from your local provider.
If you need help finding the right agency, NIPSCO’s Energy Assistance Resource Center can help point you in the right direction. You can also call NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
EAP households must reapply each program year. Approval from a previous year doesn’t automatically carry over.
What Is NIPSCO CARE?
NIPSCO CARE, or Customer Assistance for Residential Energy, provides an additional discount for qualifying NIPSCO natural gas customers participating in EAP.
Eligible customers are automatically enrolled based on their EAP eligibility, so a separate CARE application generally isn’t required.
What Does CARE Cover?
CARE provides qualifying customers with a 15% to 32% discount on their natural gas heating bill, depending on income level within the applicable guidelines.
Unlike EAP’s one-time annual benefit, CARE provides an ongoing bill reduction while the customer remains eligible and enrolled.
Because EAP eligibility must be renewed each year, households should not assume that CARE enrollment will automatically continue indefinitely without annual eligibility being established.
If you’ve been approved for EAP and believe you should be receiving CARE but don’t see the discount, contact NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
What Is the NIPSCO Hardship Program?
NIPSCO’s Hardship Program is designed for natural gas customers who need help with past-due energy bills but have household income above the standard EAP limit.
Who Qualifies for Hardship?
NIPSCO currently describes the program for households with income between 151% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Applicants must also meet the program’s other requirements, including having a qualifying NIPSCO natural gas account and past-due balance.
For example, under NIPSCO’s currently published 2026 guidelines, a household of four falls within the Hardship income range at approximately $49,830 to $82,500 per year.
That means some working households that earn too much for EAP may still qualify for Hardship assistance.
What Does Hardship Cover?
Hardship provides one-time assistance toward an eligible past-due NIPSCO natural gas balance.
NIPSCO has offered capped annual benefits under this program in previous cycles, but benefit amounts can change. Check the current 2026–27 program information when applications open for the amount available during the new cycle.
Funding is limited.
How to Apply for Hardship
NIPSCO says the application period opens October 1, 2026.
Hardship assistance is distributed through participating local Community Action Agencies.
Visit NIPSCO’s income-eligible assistance page or Energy Assistance Resource Center to find participating assistance providers in your area.
Be prepared to provide information about your NIPSCO account, past-due balance, and household income.
What Is SERV?
SERV provides energy assistance specifically for qualifying active-duty military members and veterans who are struggling with a past-due NIPSCO natural gas bill.
Who Qualifies for SERV?
Current NIPSCO requirements include:
- Active-duty military status or qualifying veteran status
- An active residential NIPSCO natural gas account
- A past-due balance
- Household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
For veterans, NIPSCO currently specifies an honorable discharge with a minimum of two years enlisted.
NIPSCO also says the primary account can be in the qualifying applicant’s name or, in some circumstances, a spouse’s name. Proof may be required.
For 2026, the currently published maximum household income amounts include:
- 1 person: $39,900
- 2 people: $54,099.96
- 3 people: $68,300.04
- 4 people: $82,500
- 5 people: $96,699.96
What Does SERV Cover?
SERV provides a one-time benefit toward eligible past-due natural gas charges.
Funding is limited, and the benefit amount can change from one program cycle to another. Check NIPSCO’s current program information for the 2026–27 maximum benefit when applications open.
How to Apply for SERV
NIPSCO says SERV applications open October 1, 2026.
Applicants can use NIPSCO’s SERV application and will need to provide documentation showing qualifying military or veteran status along with the other information requested by NIPSCO.
Visit NIPSCO.com/Veteran for the current application and instructions.
What Is SILVER?
SILVER provides additional assistance for older NIPSCO natural gas customers with past-due balances.
Who Qualifies for SILVER?
Current NIPSCO eligibility requirements include:
- Being 60 or older
- Having an active residential NIPSCO natural gas account
- Having a past-due balance
- Household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
For 2026, the currently published maximum household income amounts include:
- 1 person: $39,900
- 2 people: $54,099.96
- 3 people: $68,300.04
- 4 people: $82,500
- 5 people: $96,699.96
What Does SILVER Cover?
SILVER provides a one-time benefit toward an eligible past-due natural gas balance.
Funding is limited, and benefit amounts can change between program cycles. Check the current 2026–27 program information when applications open for the amount available this season.
How to Apply for SILVER
NIPSCO says SILVER applications open October 1, 2026.
Eligible customers can complete NIPSCO’s SILVER application online.
Visit NIPSCO.com/Senior for current instructions and application information.
Which Programs Should You Check?
If your household may qualify for EAP, it’s worth checking that program because qualifying NIPSCO natural gas customers may also receive the CARE discount.
Households with income above the EAP limit may want to check Hardship if they have a past-due NIPSCO natural gas balance.
Active-duty military members and qualifying veterans can check SERV, while customers age 60 and older can check SILVER.
Depending on your circumstances, additional NIPSCO assistance may be available even if you’ve also applied for EAP. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, so don’t assume that qualifying or not qualifying for one automatically determines your eligibility for another.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
NIPSCO says the application period for these income-eligible assistance programs opens October 1, 2026.
Some important details for the new program year, including updated EAP income limits and current maximum benefit amounts for certain programs, may not yet appear in NIPSCO’s published materials. Check the current program information when you apply.
EAP eligibility must be renewed each program year.
Hardship, SERV, and SILVER provide targeted assistance and have limited funding.
Getting your account information, income documentation, and any military or age documentation required for your program together ahead of time can make the application process easier.
Relief Recap
NIPSCO customers have several different options for energy assistance, and the right program depends on household income and individual circumstances.
EAP can help eligible low-income households with home energy costs, while qualifying NIPSCO natural gas customers may also receive the CARE discount. Hardship helps some households above the EAP income limit, while SERV and SILVER provide specialized assistance for qualifying military households, veterans, and older adults.
If your budget is stretched beyond your NIPSCO bill, take a look at our full electric and energy bill assistance guide for other programs, nonprofits, and local resources.
