Heating and Cooling Assistance

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program designed to help low income households meet the high costs of home heating during the winter months. HEAP provides a one-time payment from the state of Ohio credited directly to the customer’s main heating utility company. Households must be below 175% poverty level. HEAP runs from July 1st through March 31st. Applications can be filled out and sent to the state; or an application can be filled out online.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP)

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) provides an income based year-round program to manage utility bills based on a percentage of income. Income eligibility is at 150% or less poverty level. Utility must come from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, (PUCO – AEP & Columbia Gas), and application completed for all energy assistance programs for which the household is eligible.

Summer Crisis Program (SCP)

The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (SCP), also known as Summer Cooling, provides a one-time benefit to eligible households with cooling assistance during the summer months. Summer Cooling provides financial assistance to income eligible households at or below 175% federal poverty level with a one-time payment to their electric bill and /or help to supply with air conditioner or fans PIPP customers are not eligible. Program runs from June 1st to August 31st.

Winter Crisis Program (WCP)

The Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program ( E-HEAP), also known as the Winter Crisis Program (WCP), provides financial assistance to income eligible households at or below 175% federal poverty level that are threatened with their main heat source being in disconnection/disconnected, establishing new service, or if using bulk fuel, assists at 25% or less in tank. Program runs from November 1st to March 31st.