Indiana House Enrolled Act 1002 updated how utilities offer level monthly billing. Because of this law, NIPSCO's Budget Plan will now be called Levelized Billing Plan as of July 1, 2026. Customers who are LIHEAP eligible and who have not opted out of the program will be automatically enrolled in Levelized Billing. Customers already enrolled in a 12-month Budget Plan will stay enrolled, the name changes but the plan stays the same. Impacted customers have been contacted via letter and email.
| Customer Benefits | For customers who want a more consistent monthly energy bill. Levelized Billing helps you to even out your energy costs into predictable monthly payments throughout the year. While true-ups and adjustments can occur during the year based on your actual usage, weather conditions and energy costs, it’s a way to help bring more stability to your energy bills1. |
| What you pay | Estimated monthly cost that can be adjusted throughout year based on weather conditions, usage and energy costs2. |
| Term and Cost Inclusion | 12-months; Includes delivery and gas/commodity costs. Can cancel at anytime; subject to paying balance due, if applicable. |
| True-up | Yes- annually with periodic reviews and adjustments as necessary.2 A reconciliation (review) occurs two times each year to reflect your seasonal energy use. Seasonal periods run from May through October and November through April, with any adjustments made in May and November. |
| Weather/Price Impacts | Periodic reviews throughout the year and price adjustments as necessary.2 |
| Fees | No |
Enjoy predictable bills with Levelized Billing
The Levelized Billing Plan allows you to pay about the same amount each month. Adjustments are based on your usage, weather conditions, rates for service and delivery, and energy costs to reduce the chance of large swings in your monthly payment.
Your bill without Levelized Billing
The amount you pay will change dramatically throughout the year as seasons change.
Your bill with Levelized Billing
Your bill will be about the same each month.
How does Levelized Billing work?
You can enroll in Levelized Billing at any time during the year. Your 12-month Levelized Billing plan amount is calculated based on your annual usage and rate divided by 12 months, so your bill will be about the same each month. Customers are not eligible to enroll in a Levelized Billing if there is currently a past due balance on the account.
Your amount is calculated based on:
- Past 12 months of usage at your home or facility
- Normal seasonal weather conditions
- Current rates for service and delivery
- Current and projected cost of energy
- A reconciliation (review) occurs two times each year to reflect your seasonal energy use. Seasonal periods run from May through October and November through April, with any adjustments made in May and November.
2Customers will pay the monthly Levelized Billing amount until periodic adjustments or the annual true-up. Customers are still billed monthly for their actual usage and the rates in effect each month but will only pay the set Levelized Billing amount. During the annual true-up, customers will be refunded or charged the difference.
Existing Levelized Billing customers may enroll in the DependABill® and PPS programs. This does not affect your electric portion of your NIPSCO bill. If you are on Levelized Billing, you will remain on Levelized Billing for your electric usage as well.
Existing gas Levelized Billing accounts will be reviewed to determine balance, then averaged over the remaining months of the Levelized Billing year. This amount plus your DependABill® quote plus tax will result in your new monthly Levelized Billing payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Levelized Billing Plan?
A Levelized Billing Plan provides equal monthly payments based on estimated energy use during a defined period. At the end of the period, actual usage is reviewed and any difference is applied to the account as a credit or balance and reflected in future Levelized Billing Plan payments.
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Does this change apply to all NIPSCO customers?
Automatic enrollment applies only to customers who qualify for and receive LIHEAP assistance and are not already enrolled in a Levelized Billing Plan. Most customers will not be affected.
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How will my bill change because of this law?
Customers who qualify for and receive LIHEAP assistance will now be enrolled in the Levelized Billing Plan; unless they decide to opt out.
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How often is usage reviewed under a Levelized Billing Plan?
A reconciliation (review) will occur two times each year to evaluate your actual energy use and adjust your Levelized Billing Plan accordingly. Seasonal periods run from May through October and November through April, with reconciliations occurring in May and November. Any resulting adjustment will be incorporated into your Levelized Billing Plan beginning with your next billing cycle.
Your monthly bill is based on your estimated average energy use for that current season.
At the end of each seasonal review period, your actual energy use is compared with the amount billed under the plan.
Any difference will be incorporated into your Levelized Billing Plan and spread across future monthly payments to help keep bills as consistent as possible.
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How can I opt out of being automatically enrolled in the Levelized Billing Plan?
Customers who receive LIHEAP assistance will be automatically enrolled in the Levelized Billing Plan beginning the first billing cycle after June 30, 2026, unless they opt out. If you do not wish to be enrolled in this program, you can opt out without penalty at any time before or after the levelized billing plan is applied to the customer's account subject to the reconciliation mechanism.
Customers may opt out in one of the following ways:
- Complete the simple online form below.
- Email us at LevelizedBilling@nisource.com ; include your account number, name, address where you receive service.
- Complete the form that was included in the letter mailed to you on April 1, 2026, and return it in the prepaid envelope provided.
- Call us at 1-800-464-7726.
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If I qualify to be automatically enrolled, can I opt out of a Levelized Billing Plan?
Yes. Customers enrolled in a Levelized Billing Plan may opt out at any time, though any remaining balance on the account would still apply.
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How do I enroll in the Levelized Billing Plan?
Customers may enroll in the Levelized Billing Plan at any time, provided their account meets eligibility requirements.
Enrollment may occur in the following ways:
- Customers may choose to enroll voluntarily through their online account, or by contacting the NIPSCO Customer Care Center by phone at 1-800-4NIPSCO.
- Budget Plan customers will be automatically enrolled in Levelized Billing come June 30, 2026.
If you are automatically enrolled, you will be notified and have the option to opt out at any time without penalty, subject to reconciliation of your account balance.
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Are there protections against service disconnection?
- receive service in a county or part of a county where the National Weather Service has forecast, not earlier than 48 hours in advance, a heat index of 95°F or higher, and
- are eligible for and have applied for assistance under a heating assistance program administered under IC 4‑4‑33 during the calendar year in which the National Weather Service forecast is made.
Indiana code (IC 8-1-2.3 and 4-4-33) also prohibits service disconnection for these customers from Dec. 1 through March 15.
In addition, beyond Indiana code requirements, NIPSCO pauses all scheduled residential gas and electric disconnections whenever the forecasted high temperature is below 20°F or above 90°F on the scheduled day of disconnection or the following two days.
Visit our Energy Assistance Resource Center or call 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726) to learn more about available assistance programs.
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Opt out of LIHEAP Levelized Billing
You can easily opt out of Levelized Billing if you choose. Complete the form below. You will need the primary account holder’s name, email address, account number, and service address. This information is used to identify your account for removal from autoenrollment. Inaccurate or invalid information may result in an inability to verify your account and process your request.