These Ohio programs can help you pay your utility bills this winter
As the government shutdown continues and Ohio residents are set to lose access to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), worries over paying other household bills compound for residents across the state.
Fortunately, in Ohio, several programs provide assistance with utility bills, especially to low-income households.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps eligible low-income households with home energy bills and offers a one-time benefit that can be applied to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.
Income thresholds
Ohioans with a household size of eight or less, and income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, are eligible for the program.
- 1-person household: $27,387.50
- 2-person households: $37,012.50
- 3-person households: $46,637.50
- 4-person households: $56,262.50
- 5-person households: $65,887.50
- 6-person households: $75,512.50
- 7-or-more-person households: $85,137.50
- 8-or-more-person households: $94,762.50
For households with nine or more, the threshold is 60% of the State Median Income.
Other criteria
- Proof of income for all household members for the past 30 days (12 months preferred).
- Copies of your most recent utility bills.
- List of all household members, including birthdates and Social Security numbers.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
Visit the Ohio LIHEAP website to apply.
AEP Ohio
The utility company offers programs that give more time to pay, set up payment plans, and harness the power of our communities to help reduce your payment.
Click on the links for each option:
Neighbor to Neighbor bill pay assistance
AEP Ohio partners with Dollar Energy Fund to help families pay their electric bills. Programs run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, for service that is off or in threat of termination.
Terms for eligibility:
- Grants are dispersed on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
- Total gross income must be 175% +$1 and 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
- Sincere effort of payment: Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their account in the previous 90 days.
- Balance requirement: Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
- Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
- Account must be residential, single home or apartment
Restrictions:
- Maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $300 per utility ($600 maximum if a grant is received for both gas and electric service
- Applicants can only receive one grant per utility every 12 months.
Eligible customers may be able to complete portions of their application through Dollar Energy Fund’s online MyApp portal.
State of Ohio’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
PIPP makes monthly payments more affordable and paying on time and in full each month reduces the outstanding balance.
- Gas-heated homes have a monthly payment of 5% of all household income for gas bills and 5% of all household income for electric bills
- Electric-heated homes have a monthly payment of 10% of all household income
- There is a minimum monthly payment of $10
Eligibility:
- Gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines
- Get their power from companies regulated by the PUCO
Complete an application at the Ohio Department of Development’s website.
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership
If you are facing disconnection, GLCAP’s Utility Assistance programs serve residents of Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties with a variety of needs.
The Winter Crisis Program is available to assist counties with heating needs Nov. 1-March 31.
Support include:
- Emergency utility bill/fuel supply support in winter and summer
- Affordable payment plans
- Energy-saving techniques
- Annual utility credits
Eligibility:
- At risk of a utility shut-off, have disconnected utilities, or need to shut transfer or establish new service
- Households that have a 25% or less supply of bulk fuel such as kerosene or propane.
- Must be at or below 175% federal poverty guidelines
Required documentation:
- List of all household members
- Social security numbers
- Birthdates
- Proof of income
- Proof of citizenship
HEAP Winter Crisis Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program helps eligible Ohioans who are facing utility disconnection, have been disconnected, need to transfer service or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in your tank. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for assistance.
The program runs from November 1 until March 31 each year. Eligibility is based on income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Complete an application at the Ohio Department of Development’s website.
The Salvation Army Emergency Utility Assistance
Assistance is seasonally available who meet income guideline set out by the specific program. To find a caseworker and eligibility consult Caseworker Zip Code List here.
Neighbor to Neighbor
Assistance is provided to AEP Ohio customer who are facing disconnect or have had their service disconnected.
Eligibility
- Paid at least $75 on their electric bill in the last 90 days
- Have a minimum outstanding balance of at least $50 on their bill which is at least 30 days behind
- Meet income guidelines of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Fill out the application online here.
Heat Share
Heat Share provides assistance grants from Columbia Gas to help with up to $450 to help with shut-off or to reconnect service.
Eligibility
- Columbia Gas of Ohio clients
- Meets income of 300% of federal poverty guidelines
- Experiencing extreme financial hardship due to unexpected events like medical emergencies, job loss or other crises.
- Received a disconnection notice, are behind on payments, or have already had your service disconnected.
Visit SAHelp.me to start your application online.
WarmChoice
WarmChoice is a free, income-qualified weatherization program from Columbia Gas of Ohio that provides services to make homes more energy efficient.
If you are a customer whose income is up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify for one of their no-cast weatherization.
- Attic and wall insulation
- Air sealing
- Natural gas furnace repair or replacement
- Natural gas water heater repair or replacement
Find the WarmChoice provider in your county here.
Additionally, the Ohio Public Service Commission offers utility assistance programs. They offer aid for customers for their electric, natural gas, telephone or water bills.
If you or someone you know needs assistance or would like to donate or contribute, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.