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 and Disabilities will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1-Sept. 30, 2023.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with their county’s Community Action Agency. This process can vary location-to-location.

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).

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

Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $52,500.00.

Also, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may 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 features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact the Aging and 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.


 

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