Utilities Help in Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Need help paying an electric, gas, water, sewer, or heating bill? Utility assistance is available in Lafayette and Tippecanoe County through energy-assistance programs, township trustees, local nonprofits, utility payment plans, and other community resources.

Last Updated: September 2026

Quick Answer

If you need utility bill assistance in Lafayette or Tippecanoe County, these are the best places to start:

For heating or electric bill assistance: Contact Area IV Agency about Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP/LIHEAP).

If you have a disconnect notice: Contact your utility company immediately, then contact Area IV, your township trustee, and other emergency assistance programs.

For emergency financial help: Lafayette Urban Ministry provides assistance for qualifying households with utility bills and other urgent needs.

Not sure who can help? Indiana 211 can connect you with currently available utility assistance programs.

Energy Assistance Through Area IV

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP), also known federally as LIHEAP, helps qualifying households with heating and electric costs.

In Tippecanoe County, the program is administered locally by Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs.

The 2025–26 program has ended. The 2026–27 Energy Assistance Program begins November 1, 2026.

Area IV says eligible households receive a one-time benefit paid toward their heating and electric utility costs. Benefit amounts vary depending on the household and application.

Area IV Agency
660 N. 36th St.
Lafayette, IN 47905
Phone: 765-447-7683, option 1
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

→ Energy Assistance Program – Area IV

You can also learn more about eligibility, required documents and how the program works on our local guide:

→ LIHEAP / Energy Assistance in Tippecanoe County

Emergency Help With an Electric or Gas Bill

If you’ve received a disconnect notice, don’t wait until the shutoff date.

1. Contact Your Utility Company

Call the utility first and explain that you are having difficulty paying the bill. Ask about:

Payment arrangements
Extended payment plans
Hardship programs
Due-date extensions
Assistance funds
Steps required to prevent disconnection

Indiana’s Office of Utility Consumer Counselor recommends contacting the utility immediately after receiving a disconnection notice rather than waiting until the final days before shutoff.

2. Contact Area IV

If the Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications, Area IV can determine whether your household qualifies for EAP assistance.

→ Area IV Utility Payment Assistance

3. Contact Your Township Trustee

Indiana township trustees may provide emergency assistance with basic necessities, including utility expenses, for residents who meet the township’s eligibility requirements.

You must contact the trustee for the township where you live.

→ Township Trustee Assistance in Tippecanoe County

4. Check Other Local Emergency Assistance

Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Financial Assistance Program provides emergency help with utility bills, rent and prescription medications. Assistance depends on eligibility and available funds.

Lafayette Urban Ministry
420 N. 4th St.
Lafayette, IN 47901
Phone: 765-423-2691

→ LUM Financial Assistance Program

Indiana 211 Utility Help

If one program cannot help — or you don’t know where to start — contact Indiana 211.

Indiana 211 can help locate current resources for:

Electric bill assistance
Gas and heating assistance
Water bill assistance
Emergency financial assistance
Housing and rent help
Food assistance
Other basic needs

Dial 2-1-1 or use the online resource directory.

→ Indiana 211

Because local funding changes throughout the year, 211 can be especially useful when a program listed elsewhere has stopped accepting applications or exhausted its available funds.

Help With Water or Sewer Bills

Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program primarily helps with heating and electric costs, so don’t assume an EAP benefit will cover a water or sewer bill.

For water or sewer assistance, try:

Your township trustee
Lafayette Urban Ministry
Indiana 211
Your water or sewer provider

If you receive a City of Lafayette utility bill, the Utility Billing Office also provides a Payment Extension Request for customers who need additional time to pay.

Lafayette Utility Billing Office
20 N. 6th St.
Lafayette, IN 47901
Phone: 765-807-1100

→ Lafayette Utility Billing Office

If you have a different water or sewer provider, contact that provider directly and ask what payment arrangements or hardship options are currently available.

Winter Utility Shutoff Protection

Indiana has special winter protections for some households receiving or applying for the Energy Assistance Program.

Under Indiana law, electric and natural gas utilities generally may not disconnect residential service from December 1 through March 15 when the customer:

Is receiving assistance through EAP, or
Qualifies for EAP, has formally applied through the local EAP intake office, and has provided the utility with written proof.

This protection applies to electric and natural gas utilities, including investor-owned, municipal and cooperative utilities.

It does not apply to water, sewer, telecommunications or bulk fuels such as propane.

The winter moratorium also does not erase the bill. Customers remain responsible for charges and should continue working with the utility on payment arrangements.

→ Indiana Winter Disconnection Moratorium

Medical Emergency and Utility Disconnection

Indiana also provides a limited protection when disconnection would create a medical emergency.

According to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, a utility must postpone disconnection for 10 days when the customer provides an appropriate medical statement from a licensed physician or public health official.

This is a temporary postponement, not forgiveness of the bill.

→ Indiana Utility Service Disconnection Rules

If someone in the household relies on electricity for medical equipment or has another serious medical need, contact the utility before the scheduled disconnection and ask exactly what medical documentation it requires.

Other Places That May Help With Utility Bills

Lafayette Urban Ministry

LUM’s Financial Assistance Program provides emergency assistance for utility bills, rent and prescription medications.

→ LUM Financial Assistance Program

Salvation Army of Lafayette

The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance that may include help with utility bills. Assistance and available funding can vary.

Salvation Army of Lafayette
1110 Union St.
Lafayette, IN 47904
Phone: 765-742-0006

→ Salvation Army of Lafayette

Township Trustees

Township assistance is based on residency, financial need and the trustee’s assistance standards.

→ Find Your Tippecanoe County Township Trustee

Before You Apply for Utility Assistance

Different programs have different requirements, but it’s helpful to have:

Photo identification
Current utility bills
Disconnect notice, if applicable
Proof of household income
Proof of address or residency
Information about everyone in the household
Lease or other housing documentation if requested

For EAP, Indiana currently requires documentation that includes proof of income and current utility bills or account statements. Additional documentation may be required depending on the household.

Don’t delay asking for emergency help just because you don’t have every document yet. Contact the program and find out exactly what it requires.

Help Lowering Future Energy Bills

If high utility bills are an ongoing problem, Area IV also administers a Weatherization Assistance Program for eligible households.

Weatherization may include an energy audit and improvements such as insulation, duct sealing, crawl-space insulation, or certain furnace and water-heater repairs or replacements when appropriate.

→ Area IV Weatherization Assistance

Weatherization is different from emergency bill assistance, but it may help reduce future household energy costs.

Quick Questions

Where can I get utility assistance in Lafayette, Indiana?

Start with Area IV for heating and electric assistance. Your township trustee, Lafayette Urban Ministry, Salvation Army and Indiana 211 may also be able to help depending on your situation and available funding.

Can I get help paying my electric bill?

Possibly. Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program helps qualifying households with heating and electric costs. Other local organizations may also provide emergency assistance.

What if I have an electric disconnect notice?

Contact the utility immediately. Then check Area IV, your township trustee, Lafayette Urban Ministry and Indiana 211. Don’t wait until the scheduled shutoff date.

Can I get emergency help with my electric bill?

Emergency assistance may be available, but eligibility and funding vary. If EAP is open, Area IV is an important first contact. Township trustees and local nonprofits may also provide emergency utility assistance.

Does LIHEAP pay my entire utility bill?

Usually not. Indiana describes EAP as a one-time annual benefit that helps offset home energy costs rather than paying all of a household’s annual heating and electric expenses.

Can I get help with a water bill?

Possibly, but EAP is primarily for heating and electric expenses. Check with your township trustee, Lafayette Urban Ministry, Indiana 211 and your water provider for current water-bill assistance or payment options.

Can my electricity be shut off during the winter?

Indiana’s December 1–March 15 moratorium protects certain households receiving EAP or qualifying households that have applied and provided the utility with proof. It is not a blanket prohibition on all winter shutoffs.

Do I have to already be disconnected to apply for help?

No. In fact, contacting assistance programs and your utility before disconnection usually gives you more options.

→ LIHEAP / Energy Assistance

→ Township Trustee Assistance

Official Resources