United Way's Winter Assistance Fund Kicks Off Annual Drive

The United Way of Central Indiana kicked off its annual Winter Assistance Fund fundraising drive Tuesday. The program helps Marion County residents who don’t qualify for Indiana’s energy assistance program but still need help paying the bills.

Indiana winters can be brutal, but they can be even worse if you can’t afford to keep your house heated. The state administers the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), but only those making less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level qualify.

UWCI Basic Needs Director Mary Jones says that leaves some Hoosiers out in the cold.

“A single person that makes less than $17,505 per year would qualify for the federal program;if they make $17,506 dollars they don’t qualify,” Jones says.

That’s where the Winter Assistance Fund comes in, which is backed by community and philanthropic donations. The United Way started Tuesday’s drive with over half of its $350,000 dollar goal met with the help of start-up contributions from Citizens Energy Group, Indianapolis Power and Light and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Jones says residents making between 150 and 225 percent of the federal poverty level can qualify for some level of assistance. 

Those interested in contributing to the fund can donate at www.uwci.org/waf.