Helping Hoosiers Save Money on their Utility Bills

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Across Indiana, Hoosiers have seen their monthly utility bills climb higher and higher. For older Hoosiers with income constraints, even slight increases in the cost of electricity or heating and cooling their homes can be devastating. That’s why AARP Indiana is working hard to lower egregious rate hikes, prevent increases to monthly fees, and educate Hoosier communities about options for relief.

Utilities must file a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to up their prices, and such requests are usually met with public hearings in the impacted service area.

Beyond making their voices heard at those public hearings, customers can share their thoughts and how rate and fee hikes impact them through the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC).

Utility rates are an essential pocketbook issue for Americans 50-plus and their families, many of whom struggle to pay their energy bills along with other household expenses like food and medicine.

AARP Indiana wants to make sure older Hoosiers are informed about what’s happening with their energy bills. Follow this blog to stay up to date on what’s happening with various utility issues throughout the state.

AES

• AES Indiana has proposed a rate increase over two years starting in 2026, totaling about $21 more per month for the average residential customer.
• The company is also looking to raise the customer charge—the monthly fee customers pay before even turning on the lights—by another $3.
• When you add these new hikes to other approved charges kicking in next year, your monthly bill could jump by around $30.
• Instead of spreading the rate increase evenly among all customers, this new proposal disproportionately impacts residential customers.
• AES Indiana says it needs to raise rates because of rising costs like inflation, labor, and grid upgrades. But customers are facing the same pressures—groceries, rent, and medical bills are all going up too. Just like the utility, people are trying to keep up, and this extra cost could push some over the edge
• This hike would come on top of a previous $9 per month increase that was approved in 2024.

The OUCC is recommending the denial of AES Indiana's request.

A final Commission order is expected in spring 2026.

AES
CenterPoint
Duke Energy
NIPSCO
Indiana American Water
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• The application process for LIHEAP opens in October.
• Consumers who qualify for LIHEAP can also receive water bill assistance through the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
• Customers without internet access may call 211 or their local Community Action Agency (CAA) for more information on LIHEAP.
• Hoosiers that are concerned with paying their bills on time should contact their utility about payment arrangements. Indiana’s disconnection moratorium in the winter only applies if they have applied for the LIHEAP.
• Community Action Agencies (CAA) 
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• 211 Help Line
• Search By Utility

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
Understanding Your Gas Bill
AARP Indiana Assistance Information Sheet