MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP): MIndiana officials are looking at whether the state could help homeowners obtain lower rates for flood insurance by changing the state's residential building codes.

State Department of Homeland Security spokesman John Erickson says officials have been in contact with the company used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to review requests to join the Community Rating System discount program.

Discounts on premiums are expected to become increasingly important as the federal government begins to increase rates to better reflect the actual cost for providing insurance. Rates are expected to increase in April.

Erickson says the state is trying to get specific information on changes Indiana needs to make to qualify for the discounts. He says new codes take considerable time and effort.