Indiana Charitable Assistance Fund Distributes $6 Million

January 2 marked the start of a new program in Indiana, the “Help Thy Neighbor Fund.” Initiated by Governor Mitch Daniels, who has called for public and private donations to support the fund, it has so far received a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment and $1 million from the state’s three largest gas utilities, NIPSCO, Citizens Gas and Vectren.

The fund assists those who are over income for LIHEAP (150 to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines) and who have been disconnected or have received a disconnect notice from their natural gas company. Those eligible will receive a heating bill credit of up to $200. The fund will operate from January 2 through May 31, 2006, or until the money runs out. Any remaining money will go to the state’s weatherization program.

More information is available at http://www.heatingfund.org

Page Last Updated: January 11, 2006