Deadline to apply for energy assistance is Friday

<p>Hoosiers who may need help paying their energy bills have until Friday to apply for assistance.</p><p>The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority wanted to remind Hoosiers that the deadline to apply for energy assistance this year is on Friday, according to a news release. This year, in addition to the standard Energy Assistance Program benefit, a one-time payment of $350 is also available for those additionally financially impacted by COVID-19.</p><p>The EAP is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. IHCDA, which administers the program in Indiana, works with a network of local service providers to assist more than 100,000 Hoosier households with the high cost of home energy.</p><p>IHCDA was awarded $17 million in additional federal funding to support individuals that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. This $350 benefit is available to both new applicants as well as those that have already received an energy assistance benefit during for Program Year 2020.</p><p>People who already received an EAP benefit will not need to reapply for the additional assistance. However, they should contact their local service provider to see if they are eligible, the news release said.</p><p>For more information or to see a list of eligibility requirements and to apply, visit eap.ihcda.in.gov or call 2-1-1 and ask to speak with a local service provider.</p>