The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides assistance to Ohioans who need help managing their energy bills. A federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Service (OCS), HEAP provides a one-time payment for public utilities. 

Winter Crisis Program: November – March

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service. 

Ohio households serviced by a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio-regulated utility must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) or another payment plan if there is still an outstanding balance on the bill after receiving assistance.

 

Summer Crisis Program: (July 1-Sept 30)

The Ohio Department of Development and Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with an elderly household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others. 

To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $54,600. 

Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 44,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $13.4 million in benefits.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with their county Community Action agency.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment: 

  • Copies of their most recent energy bills. 
  • A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member. 
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members. 
  • Proof of disability (if applicable). 
  • Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).  

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may also be 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. 
For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, contact Direction Home Aging & Disabilities’ Aging & Disability Resource Center at 877-770-5558. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880. 
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

          

 

Regular HEAP:

 The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills.

HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after January 1st. Applications for the HEAP program must be received by May 31, 2023.

For more information or assistance with applying for a HEAP benefit, contact Direction Home Aging and Disabilities at 877-770-5558. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider, call (800) 282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

 

How to Apply

To apply for HEAP assistance, you need to fill out this application. If you have any questions or need help completing the form, please call Direction Home at 877-770-5558.

For more detailed information on HEAP eligibility, click here.

Questions about what the HEAP application looks like? Not sure what needs filled out in the application? Walkthrough it with an ADRC Representative in the video below:*

*Please note that eligibility and benefits may vary between Regular HEAP programming and Crisis (Summer and Winter) HEAP programming. 

To turn in your fully completed application, please check drop-off processes for your local Community Action Agency. This can vary from location-to-location.

Portage: Community Action Portage County website ; Contact CAC for more information at 330-297-1456 or via email at info@cacportage.net 

Stark: Community Action Stark County website; For more information, contact the HEAP Office, located at 1370 Market Avenue North, Canton OH 44714, or call 330-454-1850 to see if you qualify.

Summit: Community Action Summit County website; HEAP appointment line at 330-436-0261; You may also drop off or mail the completed application and all required documentation at 670 W. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio 44302

Wayne: Community Action Wayne County website; 905 Pittsburgh Ave, Wooster, OH 44691; (330) 264- 8677