Indianapolis Utility Help 2026–27: IndyEAP, the Winter Shutoff Moratorium, Citizens and AES
Updated: 4 hours ago
Indianapolis utility help runs on a calendar: one IndyEAP application in Marion County opens the door to federal energy money, winter shutoff protection and most utility programs. Here are the dates, the three-month income limits, what to send, and who to tell once you apply.
AT A GLANCE
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In Marion County, almost every kind of utility help starts with one application: IndyEAP, the local Energy Assistance Program. It's the main source of federal energy money for Indianapolis households. Just as important, a submitted application is what protects you from a winter shutoff during the state's moratorium period. Other programs often ask for your EAP results before they'll help.
This guide is built around the calendar, because in Indianapolis the dates matter as much as the dollars.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Read how we verify guides in our Editorial Standards.
Confirm current details with each utility. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
The 2026–27 Calendar
Date | What happens |
|---|---|
October 1, 2026 | IndyEAP applications opened at indyeap.org. |
December 1, 2026 | Moratorium protection begins. IndyEAP says if you've applied, you're protected from disconnection until March 2027. |
March 15, 2027 | Moratorium protection ends. |
April 30, 2027, 5 p.m. | Last day to submit an IndyEAP application. |
The takeaway: Apply before December 1 if you can. IndyEAP says applications can take up to 55 days to process, and approval isn't guaranteed. The moratorium protection depends on having applied, not on being approved.
Step 1: Apply for IndyEAP
What it covers
IndyEAP gives income-eligible Marion County households a one-time benefit toward winter utility bills. It helps with electricity and heating. It does not help with water bills. The amount depends on household size, income, at-risk factors, and fuel source.
Income limits (total for the last 3 months)
IndyEAP's 2026–27 flyer says household income for the previous three months must not exceed:
Household size | 3-month income limit |
|---|---|
1 person | $8,658 |
2 people | $11,323 |
3 people | $13,987 |
4 people | $16,651 |
5 people | $19,315 |
6 people | $21,980 |
7 people | $22,479 |
8 people | $22,979 |
Income means gross earned and unearned income for everyone 18 and older in the household.
Quick check: Add up the last three months of gross pay, benefits, and other income for every adult. Compare that total, not a monthly number, to the list.
What to send, and what not to send
Send:
☐ A completed, signed application
☐ Proof of income for the past 90 days
☐ Utility bills
Don't send: IndyEAP says these are no longer required:
photo ID;
Social Security card;
a copy of your lease;
a birth certificate.
IndyEAP may ask for more documents while processing.
How to apply
Online at indyeap.org. IndyEAP says online applications are generally processed faster.
Print an application, or pick one up at John Boner Neighborhood Centers, 2236 E. 10th St., at Door 2.
Return it by email (indyeap@jbncenters.org), fax (463-270-4714), the drop box at Door 2 at 2236 E. 10th St., or mail (IndyEAP, PO Box 11469, Indianapolis, IN 46201).
Fill out only one, online or paper, not both.
Questions: 317-808-2378, the chat at indyeap.org, or indyeap@jbncenters.org.
Don't mail your shutoff notice to IndyEAP. Its flyer says not to send disconnect or pending-disconnect notices. Contact your utility about a payment arrangement instead.
Step 2: If You're in Crisis, Act Today
IndyEAP says you're in crisis if you:
got a disconnect notice;
are disconnected;
have a payment arrangement with the utility;
are within 10 days of running out on a prepaid electric account;
are out of fuel or at 25% or below on propane or fuel oil;
are out of, or within 10 days of running out of, wood, corn, pellets, or other biofuel.
IndyEAP's crisis steps:
Keep paying your utility bill while you wait.
Apply right away if you haven't. If you already applied, email indyeap@jbncenters.org to say you're in crisis.
Tell your utility you've applied for IndyEAP.
Call 2-1-1 for other options.
Contact your neighborhood community center for more resources.
Step 3: Send Proof to Your Utility
Applying protects you during the moratorium only if your utility knows. The 2025–26 Central Indiana guide from Citizens and AES Indiana says proof of submission or an approval letter had to be sent to each utility:
AES Indiana (electric): email aesindianaeap@aes.com. AES warns that without it, your account won't be held from disconnection during the moratorium.
Citizens Energy Group (gas, water, wastewater): start a conversation at citizensenergygroup.com or email customercare@citizensenergygroup.com.
Do it the same day you apply. Save a screenshot or confirmation email.
The moratorium protection depends on having applied, not on being approved.
Step 4: Layer on Utility Programs
These are the programs listed in the 2025–26 Citizens/AES guide. Ask each utility what's available and the current income limits.
Citizens Energy Group (gas, water, wastewater)
Automatic credits for EAP recipients. The guide says Citizens automatically applies LICAP credits for EAP recipients. That lowered wastewater bills by $6–$15 a month starting in July and gave a 10–25% discount on natural gas until May. If IndyEAP approves you, check your Citizens bill for these.
Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation: A Citizens nonprofit that gives financial help to customers having trouble paying or catching up on past-due bills. It has its own income range. Apply by calling Citizens at 317-924-3311.
Flexible payment arrangements and budget billing: Call 317-924-3311.
AES Indiana (electric)
Power of Change: A one-time grant toward your electric bill, run by Dollar Energy Fund. The guide says you must apply for EAP first. Then you must either qualify for EAP or show eligibility for SNAP, TANF, HIP, or Medicaid. It's available whether EAP approves or denies you.
Payment extensions: 3- and 6-month plans.
Budget billing and a custom due date.
Free energy assessments, virtual or in-home.
United Way of Central Indiana: Winter Assistance Fund
The guide describes the Winter Assistance Fund (WAF) as energy help for Marion County households who don't qualify for EAP. It's for households whose income is a bit above the EAP limit. Last season it ran from January through May. Find application sites at uwci.org/waf or call 2-1-1.
Water Bills Are Separate
IndyEAP doesn't cover water. For a Citizens water or wastewater bill:
check for the automatic LICAP wastewater credit if you're an EAP recipient;
ask Citizens about payment arrangements and Warm Heart Warm Home;
call 2-1-1.
Mistakes That Cost Indianapolis Households
Waiting until a shutoff notice to apply. Processing can take up to 55 days. Apply in October or November.
Not telling the utility you applied. AES says without proof, your account isn't held.
Mailing a disconnect notice to IndyEAP. It asks you not to. Call the utility instead.
Sending ID, Social Security cards, or a lease. IndyEAP no longer needs them.
Comparing monthly income to the chart. IndyEAP's limits are three-month totals.
Stopping payments while waiting. IndyEAP says to keep paying.
FAQ
When can I apply for IndyEAP in 2026–27? October 1, 2026 through 5 p.m. on April 30, 2027.
Does applying stop my utility shutoff? IndyEAP says if you've applied, you're protected from disconnection from December 1, 2026 until the moratorium ends on March 15, 2027. Send proof of your application to your utility.
What's the income limit for a family of four? $16,651 in total household income over the last three months.
Does IndyEAP pay water bills? No. It helps with electricity and heating only.
How long does approval take? Up to 55 days, and approval isn't guaranteed.
I make a little too much for EAP. Is there anything else? The United Way of Central Indiana Winter Assistance Fund is for households just above the EAP limit. Check uwci.org/waf or call 2-1-1.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Indianapolis
Every guide we have for Indianapolis is listed on our Indianapolis financial help hub.
Related guides
Official sources
IndyEAP 2026 flyer: https://indyeap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IndyEAP-2026-1.pdf
IndyEAP, How to Apply: https://indyeap.org/how-to-apply/
Citizens Energy Group and AES Indiana, Central Indiana utility assistance guide (2025–26): https://info.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/UUC%2025-26%20English_Print%20and%20Web.pdf
AES Indiana, Payment Assistance: https://www.aesindiana.com/payment-assistance
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