Assistance is available for both gas and electric bills. The assistance may be in the form of a reduction of your heating bill and/or a set amount based on your income to be paid each month. Eligibility for these programs is usually based on household income.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

What is HEAP?

HEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. HEAP pays a one-time payment for most PUCO-regulated utility customers reflecting their usage for the current winter heating season.

Who is eligible?

The total household income of an applicant must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

How do I sign up?

Call (800) 282-0880, TDD (800) 686-1557 or write to P.O. Box 1240, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0583. HEAP applications may also be downloaded from the Ohio Department of Development Web site or picked up at community action agencies, post offices and libraries. Note: Each household should mail only one application. Customers can check the status of their HEAP applications online.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus)

PIPP Plus allows eligible customers to make affordable monthly energy payments on a year-round basis. When a PIPP Plus household pays its monthly PIPP Plus payment on-time and in-full, some of their old debt and the rest of that month’s bill goes away in the form of a credit on their utility account.

Who is eligible?

• Your utility company must be regulated by the PUCO. Duke Energy Ohio, Ohio Gas, Eastern Natural Gas, Pike Natural Gas, and Southeastern Natural Gas will offer a slightly different version of PIPP Plus. If you are a customer of one of these companies, call your company to learn more. Some small gas companies are not required to offer PIPP Plus. 
• You must apply for all energy assistance for which you are eligible.
• You must have a gross yearly household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. If you are not eligible based on the 12-month “test,” you may qualify for PIPP Plus based on your income for the most recent three months.

What will my monthly payment be?

Electric and natural gas customers who qualify pay $10 or 6 percent of their gross monthly household income, whichever is greater, to the utility company each month. If the utility provides both gas and electric services or if the customer has an all-electric home, the payment is $10 or 10 percent of the gross monthly income, whichever is greater.

How do I sign up for PIPP Plus?

Contact your local energy assistance program provider. You may also enroll in PIPP Plus by completing the Energy Assistance Program application and mailing it to The Ohio Department of Development. You must provide proof of your gross monthly household income for at least the last three months. To find your local energy assistance program provider or to obtain an application, please call (800) 282-0880.

Will I have to pay a deposit when I sign up?

No. There are no deposits for PIPP Plus households. If you paid a deposit in the past, that amount will be used to reduce any debt you owe the utility company.

When is my first payment due?

Your first payment will be due when you enroll in PIPP Plus. If you are unable to pay at enrollment, the installment can be added to your next monthly bill, but you will be billed for two payments. You will also lose the arrearage credit for the first month.

What are the new benefits of paying my PIPP Plus amount on-time and in-full?

When PIPP Plus payments are made on-time and in-full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time you pay your required monthly payment on-time and in-full, you no longer owe the rest of that month’s billed amount. You also receive a 1/24 credit toward any old debt. If you make full, on-time payments for 24 straight months, all of your arrearages will be eliminated.

Will fees be assessed for late payments?

No, but you will not receive the incentive or arrearage crediting benefits that come from paying your PIPP Plus payment amount on-time and in-full.

What do I need to do to stay on PIPP Plus?

Natural gas: Every 12 months you must provide proof that your gross monthly household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level to remain a PIPP Plus customer. At that time, you must also make up any PIPP Plus payments that you missed over the past 12 months. You will have one billing cycle to make up those payments, or you will be removed from PIPP Plus, and your entire bill balance will become due. At that time, your utility may offer you an extended payment plan to help you avoid disconnection.

Electric: To remain a PIPP Plus customer, you must provide proof of your gross monthly household income at least every 12 months. If you do not provide proof of income you will be removed from PIPP Plus, and your entire bill balance will become due. At that time, your utility may offer you an extended payment plan to help you avoid disconnection. 

Can I participate in customer choice and PIPP Plus at the same time?

No. If you are participating in a customer choice program, and then become eligible for and participate in PIPP Plus, you will automatically be switched to the utility. If you were under a contract with a marketer, they may assess an early termination fee if you switch to PIPP Plus before your contract expires.

What are my options if I become income ineligible for PIPP Plus?

• Natural gas: Customers who become income ineligible for PIPP Plus, but are current on their PIPP Plus payment, will be placed on Graduate PIPP Plus. This new program provides customers with a 12-month transition from PIPP Plus to full payments. Under Graduate PIPP Plus, customers pay an average of their most recent PIPP Plus amount and a budget billing amount calculated by their utility. Graduate PIPP Plus customers who make payments on-time and in-full will continue to receive credits toward their monthly bill balance and a 1/12 credit to their old debt. Some small gas companies are not required to offer Graduate PIPP Plus.
• Electric: The electric transition and arrearage crediting program provides customers with a 12 month transition from PIPP Plus to full payments. Under the Electric Graduate PIPP Plus program, customers pay either an average of their most recent PIPP Plus amount and a budget billing amount calculated by their utility, or a regular budget payment or the cost of the electric service billed each month. Electric Graduate PIPP Plus customers who make payments on-time and in-full will continue to receive credits toward their monthly bill balance and a 1/12 credit to their old debt.

Winter Crisis Program (formerly Emergency Energy Assistance Program or E-HEAP)

A special component of HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program, is administered by community action agencies throughout Ohio. The Winter Crisis Program provides assistance once per heating season to eligible low-income households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a ten-day supply of bulk fuel. For further information, contact your local community action agency.

Who is eligible?

The total household income of an applicant must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

How do I sign up?

Applications for Emergency HEAP are accepted through March 31. Contact your local community action agency to sign up.

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)

Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is a federally funded low-income residential energy efficiency program. The program reduces low-income households' energy use, thus creating more affordable housing for those in most need. Services include attic, wall and basement insulation; blower-door-guided air leakage reduction; heating system repairs or replacements; and health and safety testing and inspections. All measures are provided based on an on-site energy audit and on cost-effective guidelines developed using the NEAT computerized energy audit. Individualized client education is an important component of the program.

Who benefits from HWAP?

Households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) participants, PIPP eligible households or households participating Supplemental Security Income qualify for this no-cost program.  After weatherization, households that heat with natural gas reduce space heating consumption by an average of 24.7 percent, and electrically heated homes reduce usage by 13 percent on average.  HWAP participants increased the percentage of utility bills that they pay and the rate of disconnections of utility service for this group decreased by 50 percent.

How do I sign up?

Call (800) 282-0880, TDD (800) 686-1557 or write to P.O. Box 1240, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0583. HWAP applications may also be downloaded from the Ohio Department of Development Web site or picked up at community action agencies, post offices and libraries. Note: Each household should mail only one application.

Summer Crisis Program

A special component of HEAP, the Summer Crisis Program provides summer cooling assistance for low-income elderly households and for Ohioans with qualifying medical conditions. The program applies to electric utilities only.

What are the benefits?

One-time payment assistance of up to $175 to be put towards:

• Electric bill payment,
• Air conditioning unit, or
• Fan

Who is eligible?

• You do not have to be enrolled in PIPP or have received a disconnection notice to be eligible for the Summer Crisis Program.
• Households must have a gross annual income of 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and meet one of the following criteria:
  • Have a member of the household who is at least 60 years old; or
  • Provide physician documentation of medical necessity.

How do I sign up?

Applications for the Summer Crisis Program are accepted from July 1 through August 31. Contact your local community action agency to sign up.

HeatShare Programs

The HeatShare programs are programs administered by the Salvation Army to help qualifying households pay for natural gas bills. These programs typically run from January until May, or until funds are depleted. For more information about the HeatShare program or to receive assistance, please contact your local Salvation Army.

Columbia Gas of Ohio HeatShare Program

Customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio are eligible for the HeatShare program if they have an annual gross household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Households experiencing unexpected financial hardships may also be eligible for the program, determined on a case-by-case basis. The HeatShare program provides Columbia customers with a one-time assistance grant of up to $250. Customers are only eligible for HeatShare once per year, and the assistance cannot be applied toward security deposits or bills that are not required to maintain service.

Dominion East Ohio EnergyShare Program

The Dominion East Ohio EnergyShare program is designed to provide fuel assistance to pay for any type of winter heating bill. To qualify for the program, customers must live within the Dominion service territory, must have a termination notice, and must have exhausted other resources for state and federal fuel assistance. Senior citizens age 60 and older do not need a termination notice to qualify. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

• Annual household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines;
• Head of the household is unemployed; or
• Have a demonstrated personal or family crisis.

EnergyShare can provide customers with assistance of up to $500 for heating bills and up to $250 for deposits. The funds cannot be used for unauthorized usage, bills older than one heating season, or unpaid balances from the previous heating season. To receive assistance, the applicant must have their name on the utility account or live at the listed residence. For more information, contact your local Salvation Army or Dominion East Ohio at (800) 362-7557.

Duke Energy Ohio HeatShare Fuel Fund

Eligibility for the Duke Energy Ohio HeatShare program is based upon need, and households must be subject to disconnection in order to qualify. Eligible customers can receive a one-time assistance payment of $300. For more information, contact the Salvation Army at (513) 721-0795.

Extended Payment Plans

PUCO-regulated gas and electric companies have the following extended payment plans available to help you to make affordable payments and maintain service:

• The One-third Plan, or Winter Heating Season Plan, is only offered from November 1 to April 15 and requires you to pay 1/3 of your total account balance each month.
• The One-sixth Plan requires you to pay six equal monthly payments on your past due amount in addition to your monthly budget payment.
• The One-ninth Plan requires you to pay nine equal monthly payments on your past due amount in addition to your monthly budget payment.

These plans are available to all residential customers regardless of income. For more information, contact your utility company or your local Community Action Agency. You may also call the PUCO toll-free: Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., EST:

                         (800) 686-PUCO (7826) (voice)

                         (800) 686-1570 (TDD)

Some utility companies may offer other emergency assistance plans. For more information, please contact your utility company.

Energy Assistance for Military Personnel and their Families

The Patriot Plan, a program providing protections and benefits to military personnel and their families, can assist qualifying customers with maintaining utility service while serving on active duty. Under the plan, Ohio’s natural gas and electric utilities cannot disconnect the residential utility service of any military reservist or National Guardsman deployed on active duty for nonpayment.

Upon return from active duty, utility companies must offer customers a period of time equal to the length of their deployment to pay any arrearages that may have accumulated. Additional time may be requested by a customer if the amount in arrearages presents a hardship. Utility companies are also prohibited from charging any late payment fees or interest to qualifying customers during the period of deployment or the repayment period.

The Patriot Plan does not apply to career active-duty military personnel serving their regular tour of duty. For additional information regarding this benefit, contact your local utility company or the PUCO at (800) 686-PUCO (7826).

ATTENTION >>>Hi my name is breanna and my mom was just in a deadly car accident she is alive thank the lord but now she is out of work her doctor has released her to go back to work and her job will not give her any hours she has tryd all her avenous and cant find any help she is a mom of two and takes care of a granchild it is october 31 2010 and her manager will only give her till november 15th to pay rent there is no way.she is donig the best she can not only to think of food power ect... she needs financial help at least until next month when the other insurance company pays for her wages lost she is the best mom and does her best to the best of her abilities my name is breanna and this is no game i pray someones reads this and helps so she can get back to her life the way it was befor some drunk selfisly took over keep my mom and family tracy in your praires as i will you my email is yesajesusfreek@yahoo.com if any help GOD thank you for saveing my moms life it is so short and i pray the others on her get the help they need Amen

The people on here only seem to give advice, not financial help! They are not going to give anyone $100 bucks let alone thousands that so many ask for. This site should be called advice column!

Why does your grandma takes money to pay you? I use to work with a company called coordintated care in N.M. cant you get grandma signed up for something like that? medicare pays most of it and medicade picks the rest up. And since your taken care of her they should pay for her care. I done it for a lady I met in church and took care of her for the night time and was relieved for the day, we need to take time for ourself, Its alot of work taken care on famil members and God bless you for that, what I know from experience is let her do things that she likes dont take over everything for her, AS the older generation likes being independent to be able to do some kind of independency for them self. If you dont let the elders be independent they seem to deterate quicker. let them be mobile and not bed ridden. God Bless You. and keep grandma going on to do more for herself, dont always jump in unless she calls for help. This is good information for evryone who takes care of there love one. God be with you all. 

Hi: Im from Cleveland, did you go to the welfare office the only way you did not get help is you husband make a Lot of money they will give CASH, FOOD STAMPS and MEDICAL for the kids, you no we have the Housing advacates, the Housing Network also did you try Call For Help  211 they can get you to people who have what you need , the helped me and I'm in Cleveland, and no they will not take your kids if your in a shelter, you can get Emergnecy Assistance quicker then, they will take them if they FEEL they are negliated or abused

Hi Amy,

I hope this can help you. You can apply online or go to your local job center for assistance with food, medical, and W-2 which will help money wise. They have rental and energy assistance at your Community Action. At the job center they have an advocate that can help your husband with recieving his social security benefits.

I need some financial help.  I make too much money to receive aid for ssi.  IHSS won't help me because my son isn't hooked up to a machine.  I can only work 33 hours a week due to my son has Digeorge Syndrome and has been deemed disabled through the state.  He can't go to regular daycare or be around children because he has an Immune Deficiency.  So I am losing out on 28 hours a month.  I don't know where else to turn.  I need some help.  Does anyone know of any other programs that can help me financially?

I had Medicaid but I received $$ above what my allowance permitted, now I have no insurance and it is hard to pay my bills, auto insurance etc. I would love to drive people around for cash. I am in need of assistance. Please I am humble and I am willing to do whatever I can as long as it's legal.

I had medicaid but I received $$ above what my allowance permitted, now I have no insurance and it is hard to pay my bills, auto insurance etc. I would love to drive people around for cash. I am in need of assistance. Please I am humble and I am willing to do whatever I can as long as it's legal.

Very nicely said Teresa. Thank you.

Hi,I came to this site to ask for help but after reading about others i am only sorry i am not in a position to help myself.Yes i need help but i am healthy and can walk,my children are all grown up.I panic sometimes and lose faith this site has made me realize that this is not the way.I must keep the faith and believe God will make a way for me. Thank you Lavera

Hello to all the wonderful people who read and help people like us who have had some unexpected thing happen,and fell behind,living from pay check to pay check. I am thankful because i have gotton help from the Cancer institute over the last two years. I am a disabled grandmother,I took full custody of my only grandson who was in a drug house,he got Leukemia three months later. We travel 300 miles both ways for treatment,so I know how hard it is when things hit. I am behind on all utilities and one house payment behind. I forgot to put what I needed in last post. I need $400 to catch me up. We have another trip to hospital the 22 of Jan. for Chemo. My grandson has been fighting for over two years,we are almost done with chemo,but have another year of trips . I have imfo to prove all i have said. Father dont pay on time and so I am behind.catching up is hard. Any one who wants to talk or help is greatly appreciated. Blessings, Fran

Ssheal,Hi,thanks for all your work and thought.I have full custody of my only grandchild,he got Leukemia three months after i got him. We have to drive 300 miles both way's for his treatment, All the trips for emergency treatment from side effects of Chemo ,then blood transfusions or illness,it caust a bunch of money to stay for day's in the hospital and buy eats.But he is on a study,i had got him Insurance just after i got him,Thank God. His dad needs to pay support as he should. Thanks for the imfo,i will check it out and again ,thanks so much. Franny 1

s,Thank you so much for the emfo. I know about the Make a Wish foundation,I only knew about them doing a wish for the sick kids,D will soon be able to do a wish,he dont know where he wants to go yet. But I didn't know about anything else.I will read through all of it ,and check it out. Thank's for taking the time to send this to me. Blessings to you and yours,Happy New Year. Franny 1

This link is the Make a Wish Foundation with many links. Bless you and your family
Make A Wish Foundation and more

Hello, In my nearly year old copy of a book called " Free Health Care" I will share the information from several of those pages. If your doctor diagnoses you for a disease but you can't afford treatment, you should check to see whether the National Institutes of Health is studying the disease and looking for patients to be treated at no cost. There are several ways to find out about ongoing clinical trials across the nation. Have your doctor call the Patient Referral Line at 800-411-1222 or 301-496-4891 to find out if your diagnosis is being studied and ask to be put in contact with the primary investigator who can then tell if you meet the requirements for the study. an information brochure is avalable describing the Clinical Center programs at http://www.cc.nih.gov and select the category "Current Clinical Research Studies" -OR- Grateful Med users can access the online resource by selecting HSTAT from the database collection. Contact: Clinical Center National Institues of Health..Bethesda, MD 20892 or call: 301-496-2563.
Health Clinical Trials

This link is the Make a Wish Foundation with many links. Bless you and your family
Make A Wish Foundation and more

Hello my name is Tyralene Terrell and i need help please. I need some money to help me pay my light bill My e-mail is tterrell32608@yahoo.com.CAn some one help please. I'am trying to help myself.

Hello my name is Tyralene Terrell and i need help please. I need some money to help me pay my light bill My e-mail is tterrell32608@yahoo.com.CAn some one help please. I'am trying to help myself.

my name is debra johnson and i live in new albany indiana....on october 4, 2006 we were hit by a drunk driver and it has put me in a terrible mess....i am 52 years old...i have 3 children at home and i am raising my 15 year old granddaughter....her mother is in prison...her father doesnt really know her....my 19 year old daughter and her 14 month old baby live with me also....her husband is in prison....i have been an lpn for 23 years and have always worked hard to support my family....since this accident i can not work and am applying for disability....also have a lawsuit pending....but all this takes time and right now i have an eviction notice for january 4. 2007...energy assistance took care of my light bill....i owe a water bill....and my children are going to have no christmas unless i get some help quickly....but i also nothing happens without the Lords permission...so i have put this all in his hands and know it will all turn out alright....my children ages 14, 12, 11 and the 11 year old still believes in santa....i have no transportation to get to the places i need to go....sometimes a friend will help ....but as we all know everyone has their own lives...any way thanks for listening

Hello my name is Sherrie,I have 2 daughters ages 3&5 and my husband is in really bad shape,he had to have an ACDF fusion in his neck and since the surgery he has declined in health so badly.I have to help him out of bed most mornings and if he needs to use the restroom in the middle of the night I definately have to help him then.I don't work because I am scared of leaving him home alone with our youngest in case something happens.We have had numberous MRI's done and they say there is nothing wrong with him.I say they are crazy because this man went from working 55-70hrs. a week at a job he had held for 21yrs. yes that's 21years.We applied for ss disability and he was denided they said he could do some kind of job.There is no way he can't sit,stand,or lie down long at all because he goes numb all over.We do get food stamps and that is a plus but paying our bills and buying househould necessities that is a joke.We have no money for anything.I thank God for my father because he has helped us so much but there is only so much he can do because he is VA disabled and on social security.I just want to know why we pay taxes so much and when you get down they just kick you a little harder?I cannot find anyone that will help me with anything but electric and water but I need a phone in case something happens to my husband and his parents are 79&82 and if there is problem with them we need to be able to get ahold of.I Just think that the whole system stinks for people that need help that has worked there whole life.Thank you for letting me vent my frustrations,because I hold so much in so my children don't have to hear that mommy&daddy are having such a hard time.Sincerely a mother that truly undewrstands what each of you are going through.Sherrie, Somerset,KY
Truly disgusted with the governments policies to help people in need

Hello, I hope this web link helps. Read the other links on second aid page link.
http://www.modestneeds.org/hel p/grants/
http://app-sshea1-1.aidpage.co m/

Hello, below is a link to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. On the page are many links. Perhaps this will help.
http://www.govbenefits.gov/gov benefits_en.portal?_nfpb=true& amp;_pageLabel=gbcc_page_most_ popular_benefits&_nfls=fal se&mode=report&bid=675

My name is Jeannie and I can't wright too good but I neep help see my children because I left them in another country with their father and I hav't see them in 7 years and have no money to bring them back to the usa and I will clean your house once week free for year if you can help me thank you and god bless.

Listen to Teresa and clean up your heart..She's right,God will see you through. It is a scary time you are going through but you are going through..not staying in it. Call your local County Relief and ask how to get your rent paid,you are in the right position if they have any finances left! In His Love,Shezablonde

Angela Iunderstand your need, however you can't approach people with an attitude that they owe you or your family anything. You must learn to humble yourself. Remember we had choices just as those who we're asking for help. It's not like we are in a third world country and help is not available. This is the land of plenty. Now you say your husband works hard, but is he using his finances to the best of his ability. I say this because Iraised three children by myself and it was not always easy. I had no family support and VERY little child support. But somehow God saw me through. I never asked for hand out, sometimes because of pride, sometimes because Iknew that this was my responsibilty. I'm not saying don't ask for help if you need it, I'm saying do what you can do, pray over your little finances, trust God and humble yourself in you asking. Teresa (teresaclyde@yahoomail.com)

I am quickly finding out that their are no decent people out there. The ones who have the money to help ones in need do not. My husband and I are about on be on the streets with our two children. My husband works very hard and I am not cappable of work. We have fallin behind on all the bills and can not pay rent. We do not want to lose our two kids. We need help before we lose everything including eachother and our kids. Please Help us with by giveing us a hand up. Thanks for reading this. Angela

I AM A CARETAKER IN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MY GRANDMOTHER FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS.  SHE HAD SEVERAL STROKES AND WAS BED RIDDEN. NOW, SHE WALKS WITH HER WALKER AND CAN DRESS HERSELF. BEING A CARETAKER IS NOT A JOB EVERYONE CAN DO. IT IS VERY HARD ON YOUR BODY, YOUR MIND AND YOUR POCKET. IM 32 AND HAVE TO LIVE WITH MY MOM/GRANDMOTHER BECAUSE I BARELY MAKE ENOUGH TO SURVIVE. IN HOME SUPPORT SERVICES OF LA COUNTY IS WHAT WE GO THROUGH. MY GRANDMOTHER NOW HAS TO TAKE A LARGE PORTION OF HER MONTHLY CHECK TO PAY ME, AND I THINK IT SUCKS.  I AM WILLING TO WORK FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP. IM OUTGOING, FUN, AND EASY TO GET USED TO. KAREBEAR

Hi, I have to ask, because I'm running out of options myself. Has anyone ever contacted you to help?

  Thank you

  How does this work?  I'm out of time and immediate options!? Could some one please help?  I'm not lazy or deceitful, just desperate.. Up until a couple of monthes ago, I had a nice extra job(besides Baylor)  I was watching an elderly lady at night, but she needs a full staff and moved into a facility where she can get the 24hr care she needs.  Thank you all for your time-  Any ideas(legal) for quick cash would be greatly  appreciated.

                                                     Amy

              Hello,

  My name is Amy and I'm desperate. I'll just have to be frank. I'm at my wits end!!  I can't pay my bills,  I don't own any assets to cover a loan.  In fact,  my mom in law is letting us use her truck so that I can get to work-now someone has vandelized it.  They punctured my tire.

I work for Baylor Hospital in Irving as a nurse aid. I make 9.87 per hour.  I had to go part time because they couldn't use me for 16 hour shifts on the weekend so that I could attend school.(I hope to be a nurse-God willing)  Well, I droped my classes because my husband requires much of my attention, which brings me to him.  He is disabled, BUT Uncle Sam doesnt agree even though we have letters from Physicians staing that he can not work.  His meds are about $400.00 per month, and that's not including his doctor's appointments(when we're able to go)  I'm suffering from sever panic attacks and depression and Ihaving a really difficult time finding a second job.. My rent is due in one week 585.00, an electric bill (2 monthes worth, $468.00), Erik's doctors appt is on the 26th of Sept. One of the medicines prescribed is not covered by my insurance plan-that's $40.00 FOR DOC and $150.00 for 2 prescriptions.  Well, I do know that God will always take care of my needs!! Thank you!