Indiana Michigan Power increases funding for programs to help customers cover bills

 Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is continuing its commitment to help Hoosier customers who are having difficulty paying their electric bill by providing an additional $175,000 to the Neighbor to Neighbor program and temporarily expanding guidelines so more customers can benefit.

I&M encourages Hoosier residents and businesses, who are able, to join us in contributing to this fund to help those in need. You can learn more about the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and contributing to the fund by going to IndianaMichiganPower.com/Neighbor

“Hoosiers are experiencing unprecedented financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I&M is committed to helping our neighbors throughout these uncertain times,” said Toby Thomas, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer. “We also thank customers who generously donate to the Neighbor to Neighbor program to help their fellow Hoosiers.”

To qualify for the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, customers must have a past-due bill and meet certain income guidelines. From now through December 31, I&M is raising the income eligibility for customers from 200% of the Federal Poverty Level to 250%. A family of four may qualify if they earn below $65,500 per year, or $5,458 per month.

In addition, the maximum grant to a family will increase from the current $250 to $350 through Dec. 31.

Customers in East Central Indiana can apply through the agency that serves their county. Many of those agencies also administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) and other programs that assist Hoosiers.

BLACKFORD: Muncie Mission, 765-288-9122

DELAWARE: Indiana Community Action Program-Delaware County, 765-288-8732; or Muncie Mission, 765-288-9122

GRANT: Indiana Community Action Program-Grant County, 765-573-5193

HENRY: Indiana Community Action Program-Henry County, 765-529-4403

MADISON: Indiana Community Action Program-Madison County, 765-298-8086

I&M launched the Neighbor to Neighbor Program with a $50,000 company contribution, and customers have added to the fund with contributions of more than $48,500. Neighbor to Neighbor has helped pay the bills for more than 350 customers since April 2019.

Customers have the opportunity to help their neighbors through an option appearing on monthly bills to contribute to the Neighbor to Neighbor program. Customers can make a one-time contribution; make a level monthly contribution; or “round up” their bill to the next whole dollar, with the excess going toward the Neighbor to Neighbor Program fund. For example, if a customer’s bill is $94.25, the customer can choose to pay $95, with a donation of 75 cents going to Neighbor to Neighbor.

For Neighbor to Neighbor, I&M is collaborating with Dollar Energy Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which in turn works with agencies that offer services where our Hoosier customers live.

Hoosiers who want to send their contribution directly to the fund by mail should make checks out to Dollar Energy Fund with Indiana Michigan Power Neighbor to Neighbor Fund in the memo line of the check. Mail to:

Dollar Energy Fund

P.O. Box 42329

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

All I&M customers who are having difficulty paying their bills are encouraged to contact I&M to discuss payment options. Customers can contact us at 1-888-710-4237; on the Indiana Michigan Power Facebook page; on twitter, @IN_MI_Power; and at IndianaMichiganPower.com/Assistance

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