WOW!
WOW!’s Internet for Education program is designed to offer a low-cost broadband solution to promote digital equity for all students. Now more than ever, no family should be without access to a stable, high-speed Internet connection. At WOW!, we believe in empowering families and communities, removing barriers, and opening up the world of possibilities for the leaders of tomorrow. Who is Eligible? Households with children eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the National School Lunch Program who live in a WOW! service area but are not currently subscribed to WOW! services. https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1559033/fab8744a-ab41-11ea-9bfa-127f10bcdb1b/2208761/c8bb4a1e-4eaf-11eb-96dd-0e5507d91b97/file/WOW_K_12_Internet_Program123020.pdf
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, StarkeNorth Central Community Action Agencies
NonprofitSome of the programs and services we provide include the Energy Assistance (LaPorte, Starke and Pulaski Counties), Weatherization (all counties listed above) Youth and Senior Programs, Children's Vision Screening and Ramp Programs in LaPorte County and Rental Assistance as well as supporting Community Service Programs in Starke and Pulaski Counties.
Counties Served: Jasper, LaPorte, Porter, Pulaski, Starke-
(219) 872-0351
Gary Neighborhood Services
Nonprofithttp://www.garyneighsrvc.com/services_energyassistance.asp
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 883-0431
Porter County Aging and Community Services - PCACS
NonprofitPorter County Aging & Community Services administers several Energy Assistance Programs including EAP, and NIPSCO Cares Hardship. Through our Energy Assistance Program, we assist low-income households with winter heating expenses and summer cooling expenses. This program helps those in need to avoid service disconnection, reconnection fees and deposits. EAP is an income-eligible program as well as a program to help seniors and individuals with disabilities who are struggling to pay their energy bills. When participants qualify for a determined amount, the payment is electronically paid to the appropriate energy company.
Counties Served: Porter-
(219) 464-9736
Greater Hammond Community Services
Will be serving clients as usual during this closed period. 1. Clients who already have an appointment ticket can submit their application and documents one of the following ways. a. Upload completed application and necessary documents and email to: Lscenter2@yahoo.com b. Drop off completed application and copies of the necessary documents and place them in the outside drop box, located on the Cedar Avenue side of the building. c. Mail in your completed application and copies of the necessary documents to the following: GHCS, 824 Hoffman St, Hammond IN 46327 2. Clients who do not have an appointment ticket and apply and upload necessary documents online and the EAP Connect Website and ihcda.azurewebsite.us/portal 3. You may contact Northwest Indiana Community Action - Resource Connections department at 1-800-826-7871 option 1 to request an application to be mailed to you. If applicants have a utility disconnect notice, they must contact the utility provider to make payment arrangements to stay on during the application wait period.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 932-4800
Federal Communications Commission
GovernmentA $3.2 billion federal initiative to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic The FCC expects the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to be open to eligible households before the end of April, 2021. Please check the FCC’s website, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit , regularly for the latest information.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, StarkeJasper County Community Services
NonprofitApplication and guidelines are available here: https://www.jaspercountycommunityservices.com/energy-assistance.html
Counties Served: Jasper-
219-866-8071
Internet Essentials
You may qualify for Internet Essentials if: (A) You are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others. (B) You do not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old. Families with outstanding debt more than one year old may still be eligible. (C) You live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available. (D) You are not an existing Xfinity Internet customer and have not subscribed to Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days. Visit www.internetessentials.com
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, StarkeNewton County Community Services
NonprofitRental, Gas, Electric, Sewer & Water Bill Assistance when funding is available from November – May. More info here on organization’s Facebook page.
Counties Served: Newton-
219-285-2246
Benefits.Gov
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must need financial assistance with home energy costs. A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, may be automatically eligible. Visit www.benefits.gov/benefit/623 for more information or www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/map/liheap-map-state-and-territory-contact-listing for a contact list by state.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, StarkeSalvation Army East Chicago Corps & Community Center
NonprofitThe Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs in order to keep families in their homes. For more information or support: contact our Corps Community Center at 219-398-2939, Monday- Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m, Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 398-2939
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(219) 398-9692
Indiana American Water
Payment Arrangements Sometimes customers face circumstances that stretch their financial resources. If you cannot pay your bill by the due date, please contact our Customer Service Center before the bill becomes due. Our customer service representatives will work with you on a plan to pay the balance of the bill over time. These payment arrangements require you to: Pay at least 25% of your bill within 48 hours of your call. Pay the rest of the bill, including any applicable late payment charge according to an agreed upon schedule, not to exceed 6 months. Pay all future bills as they become due. We will create these payment arrangements only with customers who have not broken a similar agreement with us in the past twelve months. New Policy for turning on water service that has been disconnected for non-payment Effective January 1, 2013, Indiana American Water’s policy will change regarding the reconnection of water service after regular business hours. Beginning on this date, no reconnection of service after disconnection for non payment will be performed after regular business hours, except on Fridays, weekends, holidays and the day before a holiday as listed at www.indianaamwater.com at the “turning service on/off” link under the Customer Service tab. A reconnection fee and after-hours fee will be charged for any reconnection of service made after 3 p.m. on these days, payable prior to reconnection through an authorized payment center or online credit card processing vendor. For more information, please contact our customer service center at 1-800-492-8373. LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHWAP) American Water is committed to our communities and to keeping the water and life flowing for our customers. One way we do this is through our customer assistance programs. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to find out more about the programs available in your state. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federally funded program that provides emergency assistance to families experiencing hardship with their water bills. LIHWAP will be able to assist our customers who are behind on their drinking water and wastewater bills to help keep their water and wastewater service active.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, Starke-
(219) 880-2307
Lifeline
GovernmentVisit: www.lifelinesupport.org You can qualify: (1) Based on your income--You can get Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state. Show proof of income, like three consecutive pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for Lifeline. (2) If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs Federal Assistance Programs--You can get Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, Medicaid; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA); Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. (3) Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands); Show a card, letter, or official document, as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for Lifeline. Tribal Lifeline takes up to an extra $25 off your monthly bill, for a total Lifeline discount of up to $34.25 per month. You can get Tribal Lifeline if you live on Tribal lands. Tribal lands include any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, Pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions, Hawaiian Home Lands, or Indian Allotments. If you live on Tribal lands, you can qualify for Lifeline if you or someone in your household participates in: Any of the federal assistance programs listed above Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Show a card, letter, or another document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for Lifeline, and tell them you’re applying for Tribal Lifeline. Limit: One per Household--You are only allowed to get one Lifeline discount (phone or internet, but not both) per household, not per person. If someone at your address already gets Lifeline, your company will use a Household Worksheet to see if more than one household lives at your address.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Regional, Starke-
(800) 234-9473
North Township Trustee
GovernmentAir Conditioning Fee: Must live in East Chicago Senior Housing. Must Qualify
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 932-2530
Hanging Grove Township Trustee
GovernmentApplication and documents (sources of income, SSN, bank statements) should be submitted to the township office.
Counties Served: Jasper-
(219) 253-7300
St. John Township Trustee's Office
GovernmentWe provide the following to qualifying residents of St. John Township (Dyer, Schererville, & St. John; including some unincorporated areas) Water Nipsco
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 865-2705
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(219) 865-3956
Eagle Creek Township Trustee
Residents must fill out application and provide documents (bank statements, sources of income, Social Security number)
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 996-4572
Hanover Township Trustee
GovernmentSee for eligibility guidelines and application: https://www.hanovertownshiptrustee.com/services/
Counties Served: Lake-
219-374-7443
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219-374-7536
Carpenter Township Trustee
To apply for assistance, fill out an application at the township office.
Counties Served: Jasper-
219-261-2374
Society of St Vincent de Paul - Our Lady of Perpetual Help
ChurchWe network with Catholic Charities to provide Emergency Utility assistance for electricity, gas, water and sanitation
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 845-7531
Hobart Township Trustee
Applicants must show proof of public assistance (or application to public assistance) to receive application and appointment.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 942-0055
-
(219) 942-7611
Keener Township Trustee
Application and utility statement required.
Counties Served: Jasper-
219-987-7825
Pleasant Township Trustee
FAQ and application: https://pleasanttownshiptrustee.org/township-assistance/
Counties Served: Porter-
(219) 766-3216
Union Township Trustee
GovernmentCall Township
Counties Served: Porter-
(219) 759-1482
West Creek Township Trustee
-
(219) 696-9432
Winfield Township Trustee
GovernmentEmergency financial assistance is available for necessities based on family size and income. Assistance includes rental/mortgage payments, utilities, medical bills, burial expenses and food. Applications for assistance can be picked up in the office of the Trustee.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 663-7027
-
(219) 663-5185
North Township Trustee
GovernmentProvides assistance with NIPSCO and Water utility bills. Must be a North Township resident (Hammond, Whiting, Munster, Highland, East Chicago)
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 932-2530
NIPSCO
-
(800) 721-7385
Calumet Township Trustee
GovernmentAssistance can be provided for current utility bills as long as the bill is in the applicant’s name and applicant’s residence is current. Verification will be required.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 880-4000
Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville
The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs in order to keep families in their homes. For more information or support: contact our Corps Community Center at 219-887-6588,
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 887-6588
-
(219) 887-9461
Salvation Army Hammond / Munster
The Salvation Army Case Worker will approve how much we can assist depending on the amount and available funding. Must have current bill, current picture ID, proof of income, birth certificates for those living within the home. Must be a resident of Hammond, Munster, Dyer, Griffith, St. John, Highland, or Schererville. Please call 219-838-0380.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 838-0380
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(219 )838-0409
Center Township Trustee-Crown Point
GovernmentUTILITY SERVICE AND\OR HEATING FUELS – The Trustee may, in cases of necessity, authorize the payment of water, gas, other fuels used for heating or cooking, and electric services; including the payment of delinquent bills for such services, when necessary to prevent disconnections or to restore terminated services. There are, however, some limitations: (IC 12-20-16-3)
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 663-0250
First Contact Valparaiso
Church-
(219) 462-8332
-
(219) 465-4288
First Contact Portage
Church-
(219) 764-7322
Salvation Army Porter County
NonprofitPlease call for details on assistance.
Counties Served: Porter-
(219) 762-9191
-
(219) 762-0080
Northwest Indiana Community Action
NonprofitThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist low wage earning households. EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that helps pay for the high cost of heating your home in winter. Additional assistance may be applied if you have received a disconnection notice or are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly. NWICA provides EAP services in Lake, Porter, Jasper, and Newton Counties. HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM HELP? Benefits to household and community: Provides eligible households with a one-time payment to the energy provider(s). Provides energy savings education to help reduce energy burden. Reduces potential Health & Safety risks associated with the use of unsafe heating approaches and exposure to extremely cold temperatures.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 794-1829
Catholic Charities of Gary
NonprofitPast due utility assistance with a pending green disconnect, services must be in client's name. If you are emailing for financial assistance, please direct it to outreach@catholic-charities.org or call 219-689-8426.
Counties Served: Lake, LaPorte, Porter, Starke-
(219) 886-3549 x106
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(219) 886-2428
Salvation Army La Porte County
NonprofitEnergy Assistance is no longer in our building as of February 1st. They are still in Michigan City at 301 8th Street. You must call and make an appointment and they will tell you what you need to bring. The telephone number 219-872-0351.
Counties Served: LaPorte-
(219) 326-5342
Society of St Vincent de Paul-St. Thomas More
ChurchCOVID-19 Update: Continuing to operate. For assistance, call 219-836-8610. After a short eligibility interview, if you are eligible, assistance will be provided.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 836-8610
Society of St. Vincent de Paul-St. Thomas Aquinas Conference
ChurchServes Knox, Hamlet, Monterey and Walkerton, basically the eastern portion of Starke County. May be able to provide utility assistance. Please contact 574-806-0431 to talk with someone about your needs and the St. Vincent de Paul team will determine how they may be able to assist you.
Counties Served: Starke-
(574) 806-0431
Greater First Baptist Church
ChurchNIPSCO assistance once a year from East Chicago Foundation proceeds.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 378-0914
North Township Trustee
GovernmentWater & Garbage services (Must be a North Township resident (Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, Munster & Highland)
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 932-2530
Salvation Army East Chicago Corps & Community Center
NonprofitThe Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs in order to keep families in their homes. For more information or support: contact our Corps Community Center at 219-398-2939, Monday- Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m, Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Counties Served: Lake-
(219) 398-2939
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(219) 398-9692