With rising prices at the pump and ever tightening budgets, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) knows that this can lead to our customers potentially needing help to pay their energy bills. That’s why I&M is Powering the Next Helping Hand by offering a variety of payment options and programs, including grants to help qualified Indiana customers with their bill and weatherization improvements.
The reminder of our grants, programs and payment assistance plans comes during National Energy
Awareness Month, which encourages the government and organizations to raise awareness of the
importance of sustainability and managing the nation’s energy resources.
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
The I&M Neighbor to Neighbor Program lends a hand to Indiana customers who are experiencing
financial hardships and need help to get back on their feet. Administered by Dollar Energy Fund, the
program provides eligible Indiana customers with a utility assistance grant applied directly to their bill.
Customers can also help their neighbors in need by donating to the Neighbor to Neighbor program.
Since 2018, customers have donated more than $97,000 to the Neighbor to Neighbor fund. For more
information visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/paymentassistance
Flexible Payment Options
If a customer needs a few extra days and can pay in full, I&M can help, as our payment extension may be
the right choice. Need to spread out payments over a few months? An extended payment arrangement
helps you do just that. The important part is that you reach out to us before the bill is due.
Local and Federal Assistance I&M works with local and federal organizations to help customers. Together, these community partnerships have assisted customers with paying their utility bills. Customers can call 211 or visit www.IN211.org for information about utility, housing, healthcare, and many other types of assistance. They can also find a listing of local and federal assistance agencies on www.ElectricIdeas.com/Home.
Saving Energy at Home
Basics like good insulation and fewer air leaks can make a big difference when it comes to a customer’s
energy bills. Upgrading attic insulation from three inches to twelve can cut heating costs by 20% and
cooling costs by 10%. Income-qualified customers (those who make no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level) can schedule an in-home Home Energy Checkup or call 833-566-0583. Over 444,000 kWh of energy was saved by customers who had a Home Energy Checkup in 2021. If the home qualifies, I&M can assist in scheduling recommended weatherization improvements with a qualified contactor and may be able to provide up to $3,000 in improvements. For a family of four, the yearly qualification income level for our income qualified program is $55,500.
Those customers will also receive an Energy-Saving Kit valued at up to $50. Visit
www.ElectricIdeas.com/IQW to learn more and make an appointment.
Easy Energy-saving Tips
Customers can save at home by establishing easy, low or no-cost energy habits. I&M provides more than
100 tips on www.ElectricIdeas.com/Tips to help residential and business customers save energy. Customers can also find rebates and energy-saving products at ElectricIdeas.com/Home.
For more information and qualification details on any of these programs or services, call 1-800-
311-4634 or visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/PaymentAssistance.
