Alliant Energy customers can apply for assistance if they need financial support to help pay energy bills, the company announced this week. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 3 households have struggled to pay regular expenses, including utility bills, since the start of the pandemic. About 1 in 6 U.S. workers have filed for unemployment. Alliant customers needing assistance should call 211 or visit alliantenergy.com/energyassistance for details about available options, including the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Hometown Care Energy Fund, which partners with local nonprofits to distribute the funds. The Hometown Care Energy Fund is supported with funds from Alliant Energy shareowners and voluntary contributions from employees, retirees and customers.