INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana has a record $106 million available to help low-income Hoosiers with heating bills that could rise by nearly a third this winter, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Monday.

"Our team has been planning for this winter for months now," Daniels said at a Statehouse news conference. "We've never been more prepared to help Hoosiers, and we're starting earlier than ever because we expect it to be a difficult year for winter energy costs."

The announcement came a day before scheduled energy cost forecasts by the U.S. Energy Information Agency and local utility NIPSCO.

Congress last week doubled state funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, bringing Indiana's base grant to $103.7 million. The state also can tap a $2.5 million reserve that was left after distributing $71 million in LIHEAP assistance last winter.

Hoosiers earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty line -- less than $31,800 for a family of four -- are eligible for a lump-sum assistance payment sent directly to their utility provider. Participation also allows customers behind on utility payments to stave off disconnection until spring.

Last winter, the program delivered a $320 average benefit to more than 159,000 Indiana households, an increase of 15,000 participants. Daniels said the heating assistance program helped every Hoosier who applied last winter, and he expects that to continue this winter.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority on Monday began accepting applications from the local community action groups that administer the home heating assistance. Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp. in Hammond typically oversees the program for Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties.

NEED HEATING HELP?

Call the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority at (800) 872-0371 or contact:

Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp.

5518 Calumet Ave.

Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 937-3500