Home Energy Assistance Program: HEAP Guidelines

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program managed by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). It is designed to help income-eligible consumers with winter heating costs.

The funding provides two distinct components described in this fact sheet. HEAP and the Winter Crisis Program (WCP), also sometimes called Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP). Both homeowners and renters may be eligible for assistance and funding is not limited to utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

To qualify for either program, the total household income must be at or below 175% of the federal income guidelines when there are seven or fewer members (see chart). Twelve months of income is preferred, but the income in the past 30 days can be used. Wages and salaries of dependents under 18 years old are excluded. Households using less than 12 months of income or with eight or more members should either contact the local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency or see the income charts listed under the programs at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Electric and natural gas utilities regulated by the PUCO must delay disconnection of service for 30 days after a customer completes an online or paper application for HEAP, WCP (also Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) or the Summer Crisis Program). The delay may be used once per year during the WCP, and once per year for a HEAP (or PIPP Plus) application outside the crisis period.

HEAP

The HEAP program provides a one-time credit towards a household’s primary heating source (utility bill or bulk fuel) once per winter heating season. HEAP benefit amounts vary and are determined by several criteria like how many people live in the home, the total household income, the primary heat source and the geographic region of the state.  If the household is enrolled in PIPP Plus or someone living in the home is disabled or 60 years of age or older, as well as federal funding levels, all affect benefit amounts.

How to apply for HEAP

Consumers may apply for HEAP from July through May by completing an online application at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by scheduling an appointment with the local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency. An application may be downloaded from the website and mailed to: Energy Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 1240, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Applications may be available at county Job and Family Services, Area Agency on Aging offices, or libraries. Applications may take more than 12 weeks to process.

To complete an application consumers will need:

• A list of all household members with birth dates and social security numbers;
• Proof of income for all household members 18 years of age and older for at least the previous 30 days;
• Proof of citizenship or legal residence for household members;
• Copies of recent utility bills; and
• Disability verification (if applicable).

Failure to complete, sign and provide all required documentation will delay processing.

For more information, or to locate the local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or contact ODOD at 1-800-282-0880.

Winter Crisis Program

The Winter Crisis Program (WCP) provides financial aid once per heating season. The program is available from Nov. 1 through March 31 for income-eligible consumers who:

• Have been disconnected or received a shut-off notice;
• Have less than a 25% supply of bulk fuel; or
• Need to establish new service or pay to transfer service.

Customers are ineligible until any current medical certification filed with the utility expires. To learn more about a 30-Day Medical Certificate visit www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance.

How to Apply for WCP

Consumers must:

• Complete an application and interview with a local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency;
• Be an adult member of the household;
• Submit proof of income for all household members 18 years and older;
• Submit shut-off notice and most recent utility bills; and
• Provide a list of all household members, including birth dates, Social Security numbers, and proof of citizenship (or legal residency).

Applications may be started online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov but applicants must make an appointment with the local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency and determine what documentation is needed to verify eligibility. When an appointment is made for WCP, utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) must delay disconnection for 30 days after the appointment.

WCP Benefits

Once the WCP application is approved, the local Energy Assistance Provider/community action agency will authorize payment to the utility or vendor for disconnection prevention, reconnection of service, establishing new service, or for the delivery of bulk fuel.

Households served by a PUCO-regulated utility with a remaining outstanding balance must sign up for a payment plan, such as the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus). Learn about other payment plans at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/payment-plans.

In some cases, the program also can also be used for fuel tank replacement, fuel tank testing, and heating unit repair or replacement.

Additional assistance may be available for customers served by PUCO-regulated utilities.  Customers should contact the utility at the customer service number listed on the bill or visit www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/utility-provided-assistance-programs.