Starting Jan. 1, Marion County residents can receive assistance with paying their heating bills through the United Way of Central Indiana’s (UWCI) Winter Assistance Fund. This annual program exists to help those who do not qualify for government energy assistance. The program is open to those whose income is up to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level.
For a one-person household, that’s a gross income between about $8,060 and $8,803 over the last three months. For a family of four, that’s a gross income between about $15,499 and $18,084 for the last three months.
UWCI encourages people who believe they may qualify to apply starting Jan. 1 by contacting one of 11 sites listed at https://www.uwci.org/waf .
The program will run from Jan. 1 to the end of March, or until funds run out.
For four decades, UWCI has operated this program to help residents with heating bill expenses due to the significant need in the community. It is reported that more than 78,000 adults in Marion County are at risk of having their heat or electricity shut off.
With utility costs for Indiana households increasing by 21% from 2024 to 2025, Indiana residents can utilize this program to bridge the gap during the uptick in heat usage during the winter months.
The Winter Assistance Fund assisted 212 households in paying more than $127,000 in utility bills last year. Since 2021, the fund has helped 1,219 people with $623,000 in utility bills.
The fund is supported by AES, Citizens Energy Group, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and individual donors. To contribute to the fund, visit uwci.org/waf.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
