(Plainfield, IN) – Duke Energy says it’s doubling its available financial assistance to help Hoosiers pay their energy bills.
This boost for 2026 comes from the company’s Share the Light Fund, which is supported by Duke Energy shareholders, its foundation and voluntary contributions from customers and employees.
“Through the heat of the summer and the chill of winter, we want to be there when our customers need us most,” said Duke Energy Indiana president Stan Pinegar. “Extreme temperatures can drive up energy bills and the Share the Light Fund can help. We encourage our customers to look into it and see if they qualify.”
Last year, Duke Energy Indiana provided $450,000 in shareholder funding for direct bill assistance through its Share the Light Fund. This year, the company is providing $900,000 in funding from shareholders through a combination of its Share the Light Fund and its new Summer Energy Credit program.
- Since 2022, Share the Light Fund has provided more than $2.8 million in bill assistance, helping support more than 9,700 Indiana households
- This boost to assistance is timely, as this summer has been particularly warm, which can drive up energy use. For example, already this month, Indiana’s “cooling degree days” are 70% higher than normal for September. Cooling degree days are a measure of how much cooling is needed based on outdoor temperatures.
How to access Share the Light funds: Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute funds to qualifying residents to pay utility bills, deposits and reconnection/connection charges.
- Eligibility for the Share the Light Fund is based on income, family size and the availability of resources.
- Qualifying Hoosiers can receive up to a $250 credit annually on their account.
- Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Click here to find a listing of service providers by county.
Tell me more: Duke Energy offers a number of other tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use and save money, including:
- Payment Assistance Finder, a free online tool that directs customers to local assistance resources in their area through a simple zip code search.
- Usage Alerts that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost midway through their billing cycle so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends.
- The “Smart Usage Option” – a new time-of-use rate for residential customers that helps them save on their bills by shifting typical household chores to times when there is less demand for power.
- Free home energy audits, where energy professionals assess a home in-person or virtually for efficiency and provide customers with a toolkit of energy-saving devices.
- Installment payment plans for customers needing flexibility.
To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
