Energy Assistance is Available

Citizens Gas Asks Customers Behind on Their Bill to Call Utility

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Gas today urged customers behind on their bill to contact the utility at 924-3311. The utility can put customers in contact with various energy assistance programs and in many cases can make flexible payment arrangements to help customers catch up on past due bills in order to remain connected.

“Citizens Gas works very hard with customers to find ways to avoid losing utility service because we know the hardship this can cause. That's why we are urging customers behind on their bill to call us, so we can direct them to available energy assistance sources in order to keep their utilities connected,” said Andy Proctor, Vice President of Customer and Information Services for Citizens Gas.

Customers who have made no payments this winter risk disconnection if they do not call the utility by end of business Thursday to work out a payment plan. State law prevents utility disconnections from December 1 through March 15 for customers receiving assistance from the Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Customers who are behind on their bill and not receiving EAP assistance can have their utilities disconnected for non-payment at any time during the year.

This winter, Citizens Gas has directed approximately 19,500 customers to about $5.5 million in assistance, including nearly $2 million in assistance from the Citizens Gas Universal Service Program (USP). The USP is providing 9-24 percent bill discounts to more than 13,000 low-income customers this winter.

Energy assistance funds are still available from the EAP, the state's Help Thy Neighbor Fund, the city's Winter Assistance Fund, and the Citizens Gas Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation™. Customers can call 211 for information about all of these energy assistance sources.

Citizens Gas also encourages customers who have the resources to make a donation to the Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation™ or the Winter Assistance Fund. Contributions to Warm Heart Warm Home can be made through the customer's gas bill. Customers can contribute to the Winter Assistance Fund online at www.uwci.org.

Home Heating Safety Reminder

Citizens Gas urges all customers to have working smoke detectors on all levels of their home and to be very careful using space heaters or other alternative heating methods. All space heaters pose fire risks and fuel-burning space heaters can create deadly carbon monoxide in the home.

About Citizens Gas
Citizens Gas & Coke Utility is a Public Charitable Trust providing efficient and reliable energy services to more than 266,000 customers in and around Marion County. The Public Charitable Trust means the utility is managed only for the benefit of customers and the community.

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