FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Duke Energy is providing more than $300,000 in financial assistance for qualifying Duke Energy Indiana customers who may be struggling with the cost of their bills.

The financial assistance is thanks to Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund, which helps communities and customers partner to support families and individuals in need. Those who qualify for the funding can get up to an annual $300 credit on their account.

Within the last five years, Duke Energy has helped support more than 12,000 households in Indiana with their energy bill costs. Duke is working with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute assistance funding.

Customers can contact their local community action agency to find out if they are eligible. A list of service providers by county can be found on the Indiana Community Action Association Energy Assitance webpage.

Those who are interested in donating to help their neighbors in need will be able to make donations easily soon to the Share the Light Fund by rounding their monthly bill up to the nearest dollar.

To further support low-income households, Duke Energy will also start to reduce security deposit amounts for customers in Indiana that are eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 

In addition, when the winter disconnection moratorium in Indiana ends on March 15, customers qualifying for LIHEAP that have a past-due or outstanding balance will be auto-enrolled in an extended payment installment plan.

These new funding assistance programs are the most recent steps in Duke Energy’s company-wide effort to collaborate long-standing programs with new, creative approaches to help communities and communities in need.

In addition, Duke Energy provides other programs, resources, and tools to help support customers in their energy use and save money. To learn more about these programs, visit Duke Energy’s Bill Management webpage.