Utility bill assistance

This page covers the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, the HEAP Summer Crisis Program and PIPP (the Percentage of Income Payment Plan). Additional programs may be available to help you.

Contact your local energy assistance provider to apply. In most counties, the local energy assistance provider is the county's community action agency. You can find your local energy assistance provider on this page under “Local Government and Community Resources.” 

HEAP Winter Crisis Program

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program – or HEAP Winter Crisis Program – is a benefit that provides a payment to your utility company once per heating season. It can help you avoid a heat shut-off or help you re-start your heating service.

The program runs from Nov. 1 through March 31 for the 2023-2024 season.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program if:

• Your household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Check this chart to estimate your income eligibility.
• And one of the following applies:
  • You were disconnected or are about to be. You received a shut-off notice or a notice that you will be disconnected.
  • You have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel, like propane.
  • You need to establish new utility service or pay to transfer your utility service.
  • You are new to PIPP or have a PIPP default.

You may be eligible whether you rent or own your home. You may be required to sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) to get benefits from the HEAP Winter Crisis Program.

What help is available?

The HEAP Winter Crisis Program is an emergency benefit to help keep your heat on in the winter.

Depending on your situation, it may help:

• Reconnect you if you have been disconnected
• Keep you from being disconnected
• Supply you with bulk fuel
• Repair your heating system

The benefit is a credit applied directly to your utility bill. The state or energy assistance provider makes a payment to your utility company, which transfers the benefit on to you.

The amount of your benefit depends on your situation, like the size of your household and income level.

HEAP Summer Crisis Program

The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program – or the HEAP Summer Crisis Program – is a benefit that provides a payment to your utility company once per summer cooling season. It can help lower the cost of cooling your home or get you a working air conditioner or fan.

The program runs from July 1 to Sept. 30.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for the HEAP Summer Crisis Program if:

• Your household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Check this chart to estimate your income eligibility.
• And one of the following applies:
  • You were disconnected or are about to be. You may qualify if your household’s electric is disconnected, you received a disconnection notice or you are establishing new service.
  • A household member is over age 60 or has a documented medical condition. The condition must require cooling assistance for the person’s health and be documented by a physician.
  • You are new to PIPP or have a PIPP default. 

You may be eligible whether you rent or own your home. If you live in subsidized housing or your utilities are included in your rent payment, contact your local energy assistance provider to understand the special rules that apply.

What help is available?

The HEAP Summer Crisis Program is an emergency benefit to help keep you cool in the summer months.

Depending on your situation, this emergency benefit may help:

• Reduce your electric bill
• Provide you with an air conditioning unit
• Provide you with a fan or fans
• Repair your air conditioner

It acts as a credit applied directly to your utility bill. The state or energy assistance provider makes a payment to your utility company, which transfers the benefit on to you.

The amount of your benefit will depend on your situation, like the size of your household and income level.

PIPP

PIPP is the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. It’s an extended payment plan where you pay a percentage of your income to your electric or natural gas company each month. 

You may need to sign up for PIPP if you get assistance from the HEAP winter or summer crisis program.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for PIPP if:

• Your household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines. Check this chart to estimate your household’s income eligibility.
• And your utility company offers it. Most major utility companies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) offer PIPP, but some companies are not required to offer it.

In PIPP, you commit to an extended payment plan. You must pay at least $10 per month or more depending on your income.

You also may need to:

• Participate in other energy programs. If you qualify, you may need to join other energy assistance programs or make your home more efficient. You shouldn’t have to pay for these programs or participate if your landlord doesn’t agree
• Get payment reminders. You may get reminders about upcoming payments as part of the program.

You may be eligible for PIPP whether you rent or own your home. If you live in subsidized housing or your utilities are included in your rent, contact your local energy assistance provider to understand the special rules that apply.

What help is available?

In PIPP, you pay a percentage of your income toward your gas or electric bill.

If you heat your home with gas, your monthly payment will be:

• 5% of your gross household income for your natural gas bill, plus
• 5% of your gross household income for your electric bill

If you heat your home with electric, your monthly payment will be 10% of your gross household income. The minimum payment is $10 a month.

The balance of your utility bill is subsidized by the state of Ohio.

If you stay current on your PIPP payments, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your arrearage, or the unpaid, overdue amount you owe on your utility bill.

Don’t miss payments.

Pay your installments in full each month. If you miss your PIPP payments, you may:

• Be dropped from the program
• Owe any payments you missed
• Owe your utility provider for service you continued to get after you were dropped from PIPP

You must be current on your PIPP anniversary date (about 12 months from when you first enrolled) to continue in the program for the next 12 months.

If you aren’t current and don’t make the payments in time, you may be dropped from PIPP.

How to apply

To apply for PIPP or the HEAP winter or summer crisis programs:

• Contact your local energy assistance provider. In most counties, the local energy assistance provider is the county's community action agency. You can find your local energy assistance provider on this page under “Local Government and Community Resources.”
• Schedule an appointment. Call ahead to schedule an interview with your local energy assistance provider. Don’t go without an appointment.
• Gather documents. You will need documents that prove who you are and your total household income. Bring all the information your local energy assistance provider tells you to provide, such as your driver’s license or photo ID.
• Go to your appointment. Your local energy assistance provider can help you complete your application.

To complete an energy assistance application, you typically need:

• Information for every household member, including their:
  • Birthdate
  • Social Security number
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency
  • Proof of disability (if applicable)
• Utility bills and shut-off notices. Gather copies of your most recent utility bills and any shut-off notice you have received.
• Proof of household income. Gather income information for everyone in your household over age 18. This may include paystubs and other proof of income for at least last 30 days or the last 12 months. 
  • Your household income must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to be eligible for PIPP or the HEAP winter or summer crisis programs. Your local energy assistance provider can help you calculate your total household income.

You cannot enroll in the PIPP or HEAP programs directly through your utility company. Contact your local energy assistance provider to apply.

Notice of eligibility

After you have submitted your application, you will get a written notice about whether you are eligible.

If you are eligible for PIPP, the notice will include the amount you will pay each month, or your monthly PIPP plus installment amount.

If you are eligible for the HEAP winter or summer crisis program, the notice will include your benefit amount.

If you are not eligible, the notice will include details about why. You have the right to challenge – or appeal – the decision.

Your right to challenge a decision

If you disagree with the decision about your energy assistance application, you have the right to appeal or challenge it.

You have 30 days from the date you receive your eligibility or benefit notification to appeal a decision about PIPP or the HEAP programs. Read your notice carefully to understand the steps you must take.

You may appeal more than once in the same program year.

You must submit your appeal in writing to your local energy assistance provider. Write a letter or email. Attach supporting documents, like proof of your income. Keep a copy of your appeal and supporting documents.

The local energy assistance provider has 30 days to review your appeal. Once they make a decision, they must notify you within 10 days.

If your written appeal is denied, you have the right to request a formal hearing. You have 30 days to request the hearing.

Other utility assistance programs

You may be eligible for other programs that can help lower your utility bills, such as:

• HEAP heating assistance. In addition to the crisis program, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) may help you lower your winter heating costs.
• Electric Partnership Program (EPP). EPP may help you reduce your electric use and lower your electric bills. The program includes home audits and measures to make your home more efficient. 
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP). If you are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, this program may help make your home more efficient and lower your energy costs. It may include repairs or replacements to your air conditioner or heater.

When you meet with your local energy assistance provider, ask about all the programs that may be able to help you.