MERRILLVILLE – Enrollment for federal assistance programs for low-income household has begun for winter heating programs and Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is encouraging its customers who was financially challenged to consider payment assistance.

During the 2011-12 heating season, 36,000 NIPSCO customers received assistance from the federal program, compared to 50,000 customers in previous years.

“Winter temperatures can be unpredictable in our service area, so helping our customers plan ahead for any potential bill payment challenges is important,” said Cindy Jackson, manager of residential consumer programs. “We partner with local agencies across the state such as Salvation Army chapters, to help customers in need apply for assistance.”

Among the program are LIHEAP (for households falling within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines); NIPSCO’s Customer Assistance for Residential Energy Program (designed to further reduce the bills of LIHEAP customers); and the NIPSCO Hardship Program (for customers outside the federal poverty guidelines).