[Last updated: 7/20/2025]
Low-Income Energy Programs Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-282-0880;
For the hearing-impaired dial 711
Website
Online Application
EnergyHelp
Local LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
https://oacaa.org/find-an-agency/
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
Online Application
LIHEAP FY 2025 Funding
$176,761,435
*including additional $6,360,878 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
Heating: 175% Federal Poverty Guidelines
(8+ household members at 60% State Median Income)
Crisis: 175% Federal Poverty Guidelines
(8+ household members at 60% State Median Income)
Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines
LIHEAP FY 2025 Benefit
Heating: $41 minimum, $811 maximum
Winter Crisis: $1,200
Summer Crisis: $800
LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2024
Heating: 254,217
Winter Crisis: 76,800
Summer Crisis: 44,810
Weatherization: 4,023
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 - May 31
Winter Crisis: November 1 - March 31
Summer Crisis: July 1 - September 30
Weatherization: October 1 - June 30
State
Low-Income Rate Assistance
PIPP Plus
Ohio's regulated gas and electric utilities are mandated to participate in the statewide PIPP. Low-income customers who heat with natural gas pay 6 percent of their monthly income or $10 (whichever is greater) to their gas or electric company. Customers with all-electric homes pay $10 or 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month, whichever is greater. Zero-income customers are required to pay a $10 minimum monthly payment for both natural gas and electric. When PIPP Plus payments are made on time and in full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time they pay their required monthly payment on time and in full, they no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount. They also receive a one-twenty-fourth credit toward any old debt. If they make full, on-time payments for 24 months straight, all of the arrearages would be eliminated.
Eligibility: must receive primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, total household income must be 150 percent FPG or below, and, if eligible, must apply for all energy assistance programs.
PIPP is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s HEAP (or LIHEAP) office.
1-800-282-0880 (Ohio HEAP)
http://development.ohio.gov/is/is_pipp.htm
Contact local community action agencies at: https://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_caa.htm
Winter Reconnect Program
Allows residential customers of regulated utilities that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored by paying either the total amount they owe or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36. The Winter Reconnect Order may be used once during each heating season, which runs from mid-October through mid-April. There is no income eligibility requirement for the Winter Reconnect Program. Income-eligible households can use Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) funds for the $175 payment. No signup is required. If service has been disconnected for non-payment or is being threatened with disconnection, the customer must pay the required fees to the utility company and follow the company’s procedures to get reconnected. If paying at an authorized agent, the customer will also need to call the utility with the receipt number to report the payment.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) was provided for under Ohio's 1999 electric restructuring legislation and is funded by the electric universal service rider. Its goal is to reduce electric consumption by households that participate in the state's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The program is targeted to high consumption, high arrears PIPP households and is composed of two types of programs:
- A baseload efficiency program which audits lighting, appliances and all other uses of electricity not related to heating and installs appropriate measures; and,
- A weatherization program for those who heat with electricity and who have moderate to high usage. This program adds insulation, performs heating system inspections and addresses health & safety measures.
The EPP began operations in March 2002 and is administered by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency. USFMail@odod.state.oh.us for more information. In addition to programs offered by electric utilities through EPP, gas utilities also provide energy efficiency programs. LIHEAP funds transferred to the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency are matched with utility funds to allow local providers to serve more households.
Utility
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
CenterPoint Energy
Neighborhood Weatherization Program
Provides benefits like insulation, furnace tune-ups, and other improvements at no extra charge for households that qualify for extra assistance.
Columbia Gas
Warm Choice
Weatherization measures include insulation, air sealing and high-efficiency furnaces. Homeowners and renters whose income is 200% or less of federal poverty guidelines are eligible.
Duke Energy
https://www.duke-energy.com/Resource-Hub/Residential/For-Your-Budget/FREE-weatherization-upgrades
Income-qualified customers receive a furnace or heat pump clean and tune, energy-efficient light bulbs, energy-saving tips and if needed, a hot water heater wrap, weather stripping and pipe wrap. Depending on the condition of your home and its energy usage, other services may include duct sealing, wall and attic insulation and other air leakage sealing measures.
Enbridge (Formally Dominion East Ohio)
Housewarming Program
Provides weatherization assistance to help eligible customers reduce their energy usage. The program provides free weather-stripping, attic and sidewall insulation, door sweeps and other insulation devices. Client education is also part of the Housewarming Program to educate consumers on ways to reduce consumption effectively.
216-574-7100
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
American Electric Power
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
AEP Ohio and Dollar Energy Fund have teamed up to assist low-income AEP Ohio customers who have difficulty paying their electric bill. Eligible customers will receive a utility assistance grant applied directly to their AEP Ohio bill.
Columbia Gas
HeatShare
Administered by the Salvation Army, HeatShare is a fuel fund that combines Columbia Gas customer and employee donations to assist you.
Winter Crisis Program
Program provides assistance once per heating season if you are eligible and disconnected or threatened with disconnection for non-payment. Must sign up for PIPP Plus or another payment plan. Applications are accepted Nov. 1 through March 31. Apply at local community action.
AES Ohio (Formerly Daytona Power & Light)
Gift of Power
Gift of Power will aid customers who may not be eligible for Ohio Energy Assistance programs, but who may have incurred a financial hardship, such as a job loss, major medical bills or the loss of a spouse. Eligible customers may apply by contacting The Salvation Army
937-528-5145.
Enbrige (Formerly Dominion East Ohio)
Heat Care Program
Funded by Enbridge Gas Ohio and tax-deductible donations from customers, stockholders, employees, and Heat Care Program Partners. Funds are distributed through a network of nonprofit health and human service agencies. Contact Salvation Army to apply.
Duke Energy
Share the Light Fund
Provides one-time assistance to eligible customers to help avoid disconnection or maintain service. Administered by The Salvation Army.
513-762-5636
Ohio Edison
Project Reach
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the local Salvation Army office.
1-800-633-4766
The Illuminating Company
Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP)
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Cleveland Salvation Army.
216-861-8185
Toledo Edison
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Toledo Salvation Army.
419-241-3549
Consolidated Electric Cooperative
The People Fund
A community service program that responds to the needs of the community that aren't met through other agencies and organizations. Funded mainly by customer donations.
419-947-3055, 740-363-2541 or 1-800-421-5863,
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative
Operation Helping Others
Customer donations assist individuals and community organizations. Funds will not pay utility bills. Applications are available online.
1-800-521-9879
Logan County Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, child care programs, and individuals with special needs are just a few of the possibilities for customer Operation Round Up donations.
Online applications are available.
937-651-6987
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
440-647-2133
North Central Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. For more information,
419-426-3072
