Utility Assistance

Housing Services

Please note our new address!

Utility Assistance serves clients at the following locations:

MetroHealth Opportunity Center at Buckeye: 2816 East 116th Street, Cleveland, OH 44120
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center: 15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110
CentroVilla (Starting July 8, 2025): 3140 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44109

Do you need help catching up on past-due utility bills?

Are you in a shut-off crisis? Would you like more affordable utility bill payments? CHN can help both homeowners and renters.

Electric & Gas

CHN offers several electric & gas utility assistance programs, with convenient online applications and reverification options. Learn more about these programs in the drop-down menu below. Still have questions? Please call us at 216-600-8108

Schedule an Appointment Need to Reverify? Click Here!

Water

CHN offers assistance with water bills for customers of the City of Cleveland Division of water who own and occupy their home.

Questions? Call 1-888-901-1222.

Apply Online Here

Download the Paper Application Here

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The HEAP Program provides a one-time HEAP benefit to income eligible households and is applied as a direct credit to your main source of heat or fuel vendor.

Applications open: July 1 – May 31
Eligibility: Total household income must be at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines
For a one-person household, the total 12 month income should be at or below $26,355
For each additional household member, add $9,415
Note: The amount of your benefit will vary and is dependent upon federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income and the primary fuel you use to heat your home.

HEAP benefits do not cover monthly utility bills unless you have a zero balance on your utility account.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP+)

Eligible households pay a small percentage (5-10%) of their total household income, or $10, whichever is greater for their monthly energy bills. The balance of the bill is subsidized by the state of Ohio.

Applications open: year-round
Eligibility: Total household income must be at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (see chart below) and applicants must be a customer of an electric or natural gas company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Bonus: If you pay on time and in-full for 24 months, your outstanding balance with your utility company will be eliminated.

Once you are enrolled, you are required to reverify your income each year.

Winter Crisis Program

The Winter Crisis Program helps income-eligible Greater Cleveland residents who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have less than 25% supply of bulk fuel in their tank, maintain or restore their utility service.

Applications open: November 1 – March 31
Eligibility: Total household income must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty line (see chart below). Program is open to homeowners and renters.
Must schedule a crisis appointment in addition to submitting paperwork and documentation.

The program also helps to pay for heating system repairs in limited situations and can assist with fuel tank placement and fuel tank testing.

Summer Crisis Program

Summer Crisis Program provides eligible households with a one-time benefit to assist with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases.

Applications open: July 1 – September 30
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (at or below $52,500 for a family of four) and must meet at least one additional eligibility criteria:
A household member who is age 60 or older.
A household member has a documented medical condition verified by a licensed medical professional who is qualified under Ohio law to write prescriptions
A household's electric utility has a disconnect notice, has been shut off, needs transferred or new electric service is being established for the household.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) customers are eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

Note: Customers who are currently on PIPP are only eligible for a Summer Crisis Program monetary benefit if they have a default PIPP payment. PIPP customers who are current with their PIPP installments may receive an air conditioner and/or fan ONLY if they have not received one in the past three program years and are medically or age eligible.

Water Assistance

Water Affordability Program
The Water Affordability Program is available to customers of the City of Cleveland Division of Water who own and occupy the home. Customers receive a 40% monthly discount on water rate for one year.

Applications open: year-round

Eligibility: Total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and participants must reverify income annually to be eligible for another year. Table of qualifying income levels shown below.

For assistance with your sewer bill, visit the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s website at neorsd.org/save

Apply for Water Affordability Assistance Online

Download the Water Affordability Assistance Paper Application

Submitting Required Documentation

Once your appointment has been scheduled, you will be instructed to submit the required documentation. CHN offers two convenient methods for submitting these documents. Please use whichever method is easiest for you.

Use our online appointment system by  clicking here.
Fax your documents to 216-912-0700. Please attach a cover page that includes your confirmation number and is addressed to the "HEAP Department."

Required documents must be submitted at least three days prior to the date of your appointment, or you may be asked to reschedule.