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 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.

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 listed below:

• 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*.
• 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*.
• 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.

*Note: Customers who are currently on PIPP, are only eligible for an 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.

This year the program will be open from July 1- Sept. 30, 2023.