Help with Utility Payments

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. 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.

The PIPP Plus Program is a long-term solution to maintaining home energy services. The program helps income eligible households maintain their gas and electric services by paying their utility company a percentage of their household income.

Eligible households pay five (5) percent of their monthly income or $10 a month (whichever is greater) to their electric and gas utilities. Customers residing in all electric homes pay ten percent (10%) or $10 (whichever is greater).

PIPP+ payment amounts remain the same year-round and households who make their payments on-time and in-full each month will have 1/24th of their monthly arrearages and rest of that month's bills forgiven.

To be eligible for PIPP Plus, customers must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and they are required to re-verify household income annually or as income changes throughout the year.

The Winter Crisis Program runs from November 1st through March 31st annually. Eligible households in emergency situations may qualify to receive (once per heating season) up to $175 in payment assistance to help maintain, restore, transfer or initiate their gas or electric utility services.

In addition, those with 25% or less supply of bulk fuel (wood, coal, propane, fuel oil) may also qualify to receive up to $900 in assistance. 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 provides electric-only utility assistance to households with an elderly member (60 yrs. or older) and to households who provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a member’s health. The program duration is typically from July 1 through September 30, however the start date and benefit are determined annually by the Ohio Development Services Agency and are published in June.