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Section 1: Introduction 1.1 About the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant is a non- competitive, federally funded block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The LIHEAP Block Grant funds individual states to assist low- income families with the high cost of their home energy. Since July 1, 2006, the block grant has been administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). The program is managed by IHCDA’s Department of Community Programs. Throughout Indiana, this program is known as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Community-based organizations are designated by federal regulation and under contract with IHCDA as the local agencies administering the Energy Assistance Program. The State has designated twenty (20) community organizations referred to as Local Service Providers (LSPs). A complete list of local service provider contacts can be found in Appendix B –Local Service Providers. Applications for assistance are accepted in person, through a mail-in process, telephonically, via an online portal, or through another subcontractor. These organizations are responsible for eligibility determination and timely submission of payment transmittals to vendors. These organizations ensure that the program covers all of Indiana’s 92 counties. Also see Appendix C - IHCDA Division of Community Programs Contact 2025-2026 for all community programs contacts. The Energy Assistance Program treats all households equitably when determining eligibility. The program serves low-income households subject to an energy burden. The program responds promptly to eligible households with a heating emergency. EAP can provide benefits to offset the high costs of energy, but does not traditionally have the funds available to pay all of a household's energy costs. EAP is intended to provide ongoing, continuing service, and not to make payments on a household’s debts for previous service. IHCDA provides training and technical assistance to the Local Service Providers as needed or requested. Information about the program, as well as documents such as this manual, appendices, and EAP intake sites, can be found online at www.eap.ihcda.in.gov. Additionally, the Community Programs division of IHCDA actively solicits and welcomes feedback on its policies and procedures from stakeholders and will consider all feedback received when amending its policies. For questions concerning the program, or to submit feedback on the program’s policies, please contact the Community Programs Manager for the Energy Assistance Program at: Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, 30 S Meridian Street Suite 900, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Attn: Community Programs Manager – EAP; via telephone at 1- 800-872-0371; or via e-mail at eap@ihcda.IN.gov.