Welcome

About the study

You were randomly selected to participate in a research study led by Indiana University and Project NOW. The goal is to improve LIHEAP so that it works better for everyone.

On this page

  1. What being in the study means
  2. How much you get paid
  3. Participation is voluntary
  4. Your data and your privacy
  5. Partners

What being in the study means

Your LIHEAP is now in a savings account in your name, for you to use on your MidAmerican bills. In this study, your energy assistance is NOT sent directly to MidAmerican.

  1. You can use your Energy Savings Account to pay MidAmerican You can pay in any amount, at any time. It only goes down when you use it.
  2. You can earn up to $100 for participating in the research study You will have the option to complete study activities like answering surveys and for attending an onboarding session.

Two pages explain the rest:

Your Energy Savings Account

How it works, ways to use it, and how to check your balance.

Paying MidAmerican

Your account number, and how to pay online, by phone, or in person.

How much you get paid

Payments are yours to spend on anything. They do not go into your Energy Savings Account and they do not come out of your energy assistance.

  • $25 for opening your Energy Savings Account.
  • $25 for attending a virtual onboarding session.
  • $25 for each survey you complete.

Payments will be sent to you by email or text. The message will have your name on it and will mention this study. Payments will be sent after verification and will take about two days to get to you.

Check your spam folder

If a payment has not arrived within two days, check spam first, then call or email us.

Participation is voluntary

You may withdraw from the study at any time. Withdrawing from the study will not affect your eligibility for any other services or benefits, now or later.

To withdraw, contact the study team by phone at or by email at . You keep your benefit.

Your data and your privacy

All study data are de-identified before analysis. Your name is never attached to published findings.

We see payments from your Energy Savings Account, and billing and usage information from MidAmerican. We do not see your other bank accounts, and we do not see anything you spend money on outside your energy bill.

Review and approval

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Indiana University Institutional Review Board. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the IU Human Research Protection Program at .

Partners

This study is a research project led by Indiana University in partnership with Project NOW Community Action Agency, MidAmerican Energy, Ascentra Credit Union, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.