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Money Runs Out On Program To Help Keep Hoosiers Cool

Indiana won’t provide low-income families with financial help when dealing with summer cooling needs.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority traditionally provides $50 benefits to utility companies to help low-income households deal with high energy bills as they try to keep cool during the summer months. 

Those Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, benefits won’t be offered this summer because the state ran out of money – it’s already spent nearly $50 million this fiscal year for winter heating assistance. 

The IHCDA is urging agency partners that help administer LIHEAP to use whatever money they have left to provide crisis assistance for homes whose utilities are disconnected during the summer.  

Brandon Smith was the Statehouse reporter for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He also hosted Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
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