Hoosiers seek help with heating bills

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - As winter quickly approaches, thousands of Hoosiers are seeking help when it comes to paying to heat their home. But a deadlock in Washington may make it difficult for those looking for help to get what they need.

Thousands of low income Hoosiers turn to Community Action of Greater Indianapolis for the help they need to stay warm this winter. The agency served more than 25,000 families in Marion County last year and hopes to do the same again this year.

Edgar Tipton Jr. who heads the organization says a stalemate in Washington over the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance program's budget could leave Hoosiers out in the cold.

“We're not sure exactly where things are at this point where things will be throughout the entire season so were still taking a wait and see attitude where we are going to start assisting clients now because the state is gives us enough money to at least get the program going,” said Tipton.

To serve 25 thousand it’s going to cost 16 million dollars. Tipton says if his organization is not able to help there are other groups helping "pick up the slack," including United Way and John H. Boner Community Center.