Utility and energy bill assistance programs in Ohio.
Financial assistance programs from utility companies and non-profits in Ohio help low-income families pay their energy and electric bills. There are payment plans, government grants, charities and other organizations that help stop a disconnection or reconnect power. Find where to get utility bill help in OH below.
There are also government low income energy bill assistance programs, including HEAP or weatherization, that are operated by the state of Ohio and/or the federal government. Emergency utility bill help from charities will also help families keep their gas or lights on, including with additional help to pay for an air conditioner or summer electricity bills. A major goal is to ensure seniors, disabled people and low-income families kids in OH keep their power on.
Help with electric, gas and heating bills from Ohio utility companies
AES Ohio, formerly known as, offers its customers a couple programs. One of them is the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Credit Program. This slightly differs from the state program in that it is for customers who have already been on the PIPP program for one year and have more than 12 months PIPP in arrears on their utility bills. They also help with federal applications to HEAP.
The light and power company has several other financial resources too, including grant money to help people with medical needs keep their power on, free air conditioners or grants during the summer heat, payment extensions and more. AES Ohio helps the low-income, in particular seniors and the disabled, get relief on light and power bills. Dial (800) 433-8500, or find additional AES Ohio assistance programs.
American Electric Power, or AEP, has several emergency and long term financial assistance programs in Ohio. They include the Neighbor to Neighbor Program is offered, which provides the low-income with grants to pay utility bills to keep their electric on. The Dollar Energy Fund in Ohio also offers emergency help. Another emergency programs from AEP which offers relief is the Crisis Response Fund.
Struggling customers have other government programs available to help them. They include HEAP to pay winter heating bills or summer colling costs, including for an AC. Or get help from weatherization or other benefits. Call AEP at 1-800-277-2177, or get more information on assistance programs from AEP.
Columbia Gas oh Ohio is part of a larger, regional utility company. The company has many year round gas and electric assistance programs as well as they offer additional emergency help during the winter or summer - seasonal resources. The Auction Fuel Fund is run in partnership with local community action agencies, and grant money will help seniors, the disabled and people with no money. There is also the Utility Fuel Fund which helps pay gas bills during the winter heating season.
Other seasonal programs from Columbia Gas include the Winter Crisis Fuel Fund, which will help people who are facing a loss of heat during the winter or that run out of fuel. There is also weatherization which helps pay for, or fix, an air conditioners or helps winterize an older home. Heatshare provides help with heating costs is also available in partnership with the Salvation Army in Oho.
In addition to those resources offered, the energy company offers low income customers in Ohio additional resources. Examples of other programs offered include HEAP grants, payment plans, utility forgiveness programs and weatherization. Call 1-800-344-4077, or read more on Columbia Gas Ohio assistance programs.
Consolidated Electric Cooperative has a program known as The People Fund. It is a community service assistance program that responds to the needs of the low income individuals in the community that aren't met through other places. There is energy bill help if charities, non-profit agencies and organizations have rejected an applicant. The program which offers limited funds to pay electric bills is funded mainly by customer donations as well as money from local businesses. Call 419-947-3055, 740-363-2541 or 1-800-421-5863
Dominion Energy offers help to low-income families. There is a free energy conservation program known as the Housewarming Program, which is similar to the federal weatherization benefit. The goal is to help people fix their home and improve the energy efficiency on it.
Another option is EnergyShare, which is offered in partnership with the Salvation Army in Ohio. Money can be provided to help pay electric bills. Call 1 (866) 366-4357 or click here for additional assistance programs for Dominion East Ohio low income customer utility bill help.
Duke Energy has multiple resources in Ohio. the energy company covers multiple states with a diverse number of assistance programs, weatherization services and utility relief programs offered to struggling families. During the winter, there is HeatShare which will provide extra funds to pay heating bills. The Duke Energy cooling assistance programs operates during the summer, and the elderly and provides additional grant money for electricity bills or a free fan/AC unit.
They also administer the Ohio Electric Residential Low Income Pilot Program, which will provides financial assistance that reduces the utility rates to qualified customers. Many other financial resources are offered, including funds from the Home Energy Assistance Program, weatherization, and more. Those are just some of the emergency assistance programs offered by Duke to pay utility bills. Read more assistance programs from Duke Energy.
 Firelands Electric provides financial help with bills to their customers. The program they run is known as Operation Round Up. Individuals and organizations may be able to get financial assistance for energy costs or related home repairs Call 419-929-1571 or 1-800-533-8658
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative administers the Operation Helping Others heating and energy bill program. Customer donations may be used to assist individuals and low-income families in the service area. Call (800) 521-9879 for more details.
Illuminating Company, which is owned by First Energy, offers its customers several different payment plans, financial assistance programs and other resources. Customer service representatives can refer individuals to government programs such as Ohio HEAP or grants from Community Outreach Opportunity Program.
Other light bill help is available too. Some of their other more common solutions for those customers facing a hardship with their electric bills include payment extensions and installment plans. More details on Illuminating Company assistance programs.
Logan County Cooperative has applications to Operation Round Up. The cooperative may be able to provide heating and utility help for food banks, health and rescue organization. There is limited energy help for low income, single moms, and individuals with special needs. Call 937-592-4781
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative helps struggling customers. The assistance program known as the People Fund can help the disabled, elderly, low income, unemployed, and working poor. Call 440-647-2133
North Central Electric Cooperative also operates their own version of the People Fund. The service is also run by the utility company. Individuals with special needs / disability, low income and others struggling may be able to get a grant to pay their energy bills. For more information on this assistance program, contact the cooperative’s Member Services Department at 419-426-3072.
Ohio Edison, another First Energy Company, offers emergency help. Project Reach is a program that provides once-a-year emergency financial assistance to the unemployed, disabled, or low-income customers in the community who might lose electric service because of overdue utility or energy bills. Call 1-800-633-4766 or your local Salvation Army as they also administer the program to people who need help.
In addition to Project Reach, Ohio Edison administers several other financial assistance programs to help with utilities. There is grant money and hardship programs. They want to prevent disconnections, and to help as many people as possible. Click here to find additional low income energy bill programs from Ohio Edison.
Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program is offered statewide. Tens of thousands of Cleveland Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison utility customers who live in Ohio can receive financial assistance with their utility bills. This is a statewide service. The utility companies will also provide grant money, free energy conservation measures and other support. More details on the Ohio Fuel Grant program.
Ohio Gas helps people with a disconnection or that have no gas service. Customers of this provider have some different assistance programs offered to them. Most of them are government supported resources such as the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus or LIHEAP. However certain qualified low income families may have the ability to sign up for payment plans. More on assistance programs from Ohio Gas.
Programs for heating bills are offered by most providers. Several state laws in Ohio, non-profit organizations, and resources are focused on paying heating bills and preventing disconnections during the winter months. Many families can have their health threatened if their heat is shut off, and these programs can help ensure that doesn’t occur. Read more on heating bill help in Ohio.
Suburban Natural Gas has limited resources. Low-income customer who are are struggling with paying utility or heating bills, call to learn about any gas bills assistance that may be available. A focus is on assigning low income families with a young child or senior members of the household. Get information on financial and government assistance. More information on Suburban Natural and Ohio Gas.
Toledo Edison has a program known as Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The company, which is also part of First Energy, may be able to provide once-a-year financial assistance or emergency cash grants to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers in Ohio who might lose electric service because of overdue heating or energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and who may be able to get help with their bills
Customers facing a disconnection or that are struggling can explore other financial and emergency assistance programs from Toledo Edison. Payment plans, deferred programs, and LIHEAP cash grants are just a few of the resources available for families in Ohio. Call (800) 447-3333, or continue with financial assistance from Toledo Edison.
Vectren customers will get help if they have a shut off. Eligible households may be able to qualify for TEEM. This will provide them with energy conservation measures in their home at no cost to the applicant. Improvements, such as upgrading insulation, adding caulking, or installing a new natural gas furnace, are made by a team of energy efficiency professionals from the local non-profit organization Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area. Get more details on Vectren Gas Ohio assistance programs, or call 800-227-1376 or 1-800-617-2673 to see if you qualify.
Ohio utility bill assistance programs from the government
Disconnection prevention and legal issues can be addressed by Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. This state government agency can advice consumers on their rights when it comes to the shut off of their heat, electricity, or even phone service. Staff will also ensure that residents are treated properly by their energy company and are not harassed or overcharged when it comes to their bills or reconnection fees. Also get details on government programs such as the Winter Reconnect Order. Continue with Ohio Consumers’ Counsel services.
The PIPP Plus assistance program is offered by the state of Ohio and it is for all families and individuals in the state, regardless of their utility or gas company. There are several different components to this program, including the following.
Low-income and so called customers who heat with natural gas for their primary heating source will pay a minimal, fixed percent of their monthly income to their utility company. There are maximums set up as well. One of the benefits of this Ohio assistance program is that when PIPP Plus payments are made on time and in full by the customer, then those customers earn an incentive credit on their current utility bill. Each time the customer pays their required monthly payment on time and in full, they no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount.
This is a form of forgiveness of past due utilities in Ohio. Dial 1-800-282-0880 or (866) 244-0071 to learn more about the PIPP Plus program. You can also contact your local community action agency.
Ohio Energy Credit (OEC) Program is for state residents who are 65 years of age or older, who are totally and permanently disabled. The government will allow those customers to receive an increased Energy Assistance benefit in the form of free government grant money beyond what they would receive under the federal government HEAP energy assistance program. For more information or to apply for this service, call the Ohio Department of Development toll-free at 1-800-282-0880.
State of Ohio Winter Reconnect Program is offered annually. This particular assistance program allows most households across the state that have either been disconnected or who may be threatened with disconnection of their heating or utility service to have their heating service restored. It is offered during the winter months, The customer will also need to pay a reasonable reconnection fee. One of the best benefits of this program is that there are no income eligibility requirements for the winter reconnect program and all state residents can take advantage of the program. Call (866) 244-0071.
The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) is offered across the state to qualified households. The primary goal of this energy conserving program is to reduce electric consumption by households that participate in the state's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). This will in effect allow them to save money on their utility and heating bills. The energy conservation program is targeted to high consumption, high arrears PIPP households and is composed of two types of main components. The first is a weatherization assistance program that is partly funded by the federal government and it is for those customers who heat with electricity and who have moderate to high usage.
This program adds free or low cost insulation to the home, performs heating system inspections and addresses health & safety measures of the household. The second service is a base load efficiency program which audits energy usage of the homeowners lighting, appliances and all other uses of electricity not related to heating and installs appropriate energy saving measures to the home. Contact your local community action agency.
Government assistance from low income Home Energy Assistance, or HEAP. There are also free energy conservation measures for low income families from weatherization. The federal government provides Ohio with funds as part of the LIHEAP program.
Qualified unemployed, very low income families, senior citizens, the unemployed, and the disabled can then receive financial assistance or energy updates to their home or apartment. Funds go to individuals to help them pay their heating bills. Money can also be used for energy conservation services. More information on Ohio free weatherization and HEAP.
HeatShare is an assistance program that is paid for by donations from the community. The Salvation Army administers it across Ohio, and the program is mainly for Duke Energy and Columbia Gas customers. However some other utility or electric companies may also participate in HeatShare or a similar offering. Click more information on Ohio Heatshare.
Additional financial resources for utilities in OH
An extensive listing of financial assistance programs for utilities and Ohio organizations are listed above. To find additional resources, or if your energy company is not listed, then click here for other national utility and heating bill programs.
The state can help direct struggling customers to other government and charitable programs to pay their power bills. Organizations including the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as well as the Department of Development are two of the primary agencies. Call (800) 686-7826 for referrals.
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