Your Ohio utilities bill can be a budget-buster when you’re surviving on a low income. If you are struggling to keep your utilities connected, don’t worry. We’ve found help!
There are several unknown or little-advertised programs that power companies may offer that can help lower the cost of your power bill. There are also many government programs, nonprofits, churches and other organizations that can help you pay your bill.
Ohio Utility Assistance Programs
If you live in Ohio, there are many places you can turn for assistance with your utility bills. The first place you should go is your local Community Action Council and the Ohio Department of Development. We’ll discuss their programs in this section.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps low income people across Ohio pay their utility bills. This program can provide a credit that can offset the cost of your bill.
This program operates seasonally. There is HEAP, HEAP Winter Crisis and HEAP Summer Crisis. These programs all have the same general income guidelines.
HEAP Winter Crisis runs between early November and the end of March each year. This program helps those who are at risk of having their utilities disconnected. If you have received a disconnection notice or you’ve already been disconnected, HEAP should be able to help you get those Ohio utilities restored. This program can also help you if you need to establish new service, pay to transfer your service, or if you need to have 25% supply of bulk fuel to maintain your service.
The Summer Crisis program helps people pay their cooling costs. This program runs from July through September each year.
You may be eligible for HEAP assistance if your household income is 175% or less of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size. You can complete an application on the Ohio Department of Development website.
Electric Partnership Program (EPP)
The Electric Partnership Program provides in-home energy audits and free energy efficiency upgrades for eligible Ohio residents.
In order to be eligible, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
- You must have 12 months of electric usage history at your current address.
- You must have an annual electric baseload usage of at least 5,000 kWh
- You must have an income that is 175% of the Federal Poverty level or less
- You must live in the service territory for American Electric Power, Duke Energy, AES Ohio or FirstEnergy.
You can apply for this program with the Ohio Department of Development.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) provides free energy improvements to low income Ohio residents who need help improving their home’s efficiency. This program can drastically reduce the cost of your monthly Ohio utilities bills.
In order to be eligible for this program, you must have an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. If you have received benefits from SSI, TANF or HEAP within the last 12 months, you are automatically eligible for this program but you still have to fill out an application.
This program has limited funding, so priority is given to residents who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Seniors (over age 60)
- People with disabilities
- Families with children
- Households with high energy usage or high payments
This program is managed by Ohio’s Community Action Councils. You’ll need to contact your local Community Action Agency for assistance.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP)
If you receive your service from an Ohio utilities provider that is regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio, you may be eligible for the PIPP Program. In order to participate, you must have an income that is 175% of the Federal Poverty Level or less.
This program changes the way that you are billed for your energy service. Instead of paying for the energy you actually use, you’ll pay 5-10% of your income toward your energy costs. The minimum payment is $10 per month. That means you could pay just $10 per month, no matter how much you’re actually using.
While you are on this program, you will be building a debt to the utility provider. That debt will be wiped out after 24 on-time and in-full payments. That means you’ll never owe more than 24 months worth of energy bills as long as you pay your PIPP amount on time.
You will need to recertify your income every year. If you eventually earn too much, you’ll have to pay off the debt but there are other programs that can help you get payment arrangements for the balance owed.
You can apply for this program with the Ohio Department of Development as well.
Get More Help from Your Provider
There are even more assistance programs offered by local utilities – or by local churches and nonprofits who serve residents within the service area of these local utilities.
Find your Ohio utilities provider in the list below to find out what discounts, rebates and other money-saving programs are offered by YOUR local utility company!
American Electric Power (AEP)
Are you having trouble with your AEP bill? You might be able to get help with it through the company’s various programs. You might also be able to get help paying your bill using community agencies and state agencies. Customers could get help with level payments and other resources through AEP. Find your options.
Buckeye Rural Electric
Buckeye Rural Electric offers level payments, arrangements and even free energy audits to customers who qualify. Since Buckeye Rural Electric is a part of Touchstone, you get tons of benefits just for being a member of the co-op. Get help with your Buckeye Rural Electric bill!
CenterPoint Energy
Centerpoint Energy helps more than 5 million customers in 13 different states. They have complimentary home efficiency products and special state-specific programs to help you stay on top of your Ohio utilities bill. Here’s how to get help from Centerpoint.
Cleveland Public Power
Do you need help with your Cleveland Public Power bill? You could get it! There are programs available from the company and also from community resources that might be able to help you save money on your bills, avoid shut-off and upgrade your home for free. Find out more about the programs Cleveland Public Power has.
Dominion Energy
Your Dominion Energy bill doesn’t have to be a burden each month! We found ways you can get help paying your Ohio Utilities bill and get options to upgrade your home so your bills aren’t so expensive. Dominion Energy might be able to help you with their budget billing programs and also might be able to provide payment arrangements for those who qualify. Get help from Dominion now!
Duke Energy
Is your Duke Energy bill too expensive? We found help! You could get assistance with payment arrangements, extensions and even the budget billing program. We also found community and state resources that might help you pay your bill and upgrade your home. Get help with Duke Energy now!
Illuminating Company (First Energy)
As a First Energy customer, you can get help with so many different resources. Since the Illuminating Company is a part of the bigger First Energy, you could get help with your bill! There are many resources available to help make paying your Ohio utilities bill easier. Get help with Illuminating Company!
Just Energy
If you’re a Just Energy supplier customer, you might be able to get help with your Ohio Utilities bills. Your company might team up with Just Energy to automatically help you start saving. See everything we’ve found for Just Energy customers.
Ohio Edison (First Energy)
Ohio Edison is a part of First Energy and that means you could get all the benefits that come from being a First Energy customer. There are many options available to help you pay your bill, lower your bill and even avoid shut-off. We also found help for customers who want to upgrade their homes. See Ohio Edison resources.
South Central Power
Is your South Central Power bill out of control? You could get help with it! Use the assistance program for low-income customers and even use the budget billing program to make your bill easier to pay. Get the details on South Central Power.
Toledo Edison (First Energy)
If your Toledo Edison bill is too much, you might be able to get help. Toledo Edison is a part of First Energy and the company has many resources that might make paying your bill easier. Find all the things we’ve found for Toledo Edison customers!
More Help in Ohio
If you’re looking for more ways to save money in Ohio, don’t forget to check out this list of EBT discounts!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.