Home Energy Assistance Programs

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program designed to help income-eligible Ohioans with their winter heating bills. Clients at or below 175% of the FPG receive a benefit in the form of a direct payment toward their main heating account. HEAP benefits are typically credited directly towards the eligible client’s energy heating bill beginning in the month of January. The benefit amount depends on funding received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, household poverty level, household main heating source, household location, if someone in the home is disabled, if a person in the home is 60 years of age or older, or if the household is enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP). Individuals may apply once a year, July - May. Call your County Community Services Office for more information.

Winter Crisis Program (WCP) is part of HEAP that provides a benefit once per heating season to an income-eligible Ohioan’s main heating and/or electric accounts. Eligible clients are those at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) that are disconnected (or have a pending disconnection notice), need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, or have 25% (or less) of bulk fuel supply remaining. The program can also assist with fuel tank placement, fuel tank testing and heating system repair. Clients with a current medical certificate on file with their utility are ineligible to receive WCP assistance until the medical certificate protection expires. This program runs November 1 - March 31. To schedule the required appointment for WCP, call (855) 806-9650 after October 20.

Summer Crisis Program (SCP) is part of HEAP that provides a benefit once per cooling season to an income-eligible Ohioan’s electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases. Households with a household member who is either 60 years of age and older, has a certified medical condition, and households who have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service may be eligible for assistance. Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) Program 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. This program runs July 1 - September 30. To schedule the required appointment for SCP, call (855) 806-9650 after June 20.