Utility-Provided Assistance Programs

Utility companies may offer assistance programs to help with electric, natural gas, and water bills. Funded through various means like customer donations, utility contributions, or shareholder support, these programs have specific eligibility guidelines based on income. To check if these programs are available to you, contact your utility provider, local energy assistance provider (community action agency), or nonprofit organizations in your community.

Eligibility, program benefits, and income guidelines vary among the programs. Some programs require disconnection status to provide benefits, meaning you either have a disconnection notice or have already been disconnected from utility services.

To apply for the utility company assistance programs, contact your local utility company or the agency managing the program. You may be asked to submit proof of household income when you apply. Refer to the chart below for current income guidelines.

Information on additional sources of utility bill-payment assistance is available at www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance.

Please Note: This information is provided as a guide to resources and is subject to program changes and availability. Funds may run out before the end of a program’s term. Please contact the fund administrators or your utility for fund availability.

ELECTRIC

American Electric Power (Ohio Power, Columbus Southern Power)

Ohio Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
Benefit: Customers may receive up to $350. Grants are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility: Must be a customer of AEP. Income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Must have an outstanding balance of at least $50 and are at least 30 days behind and have paid at least $75 on their account in the past 90 days.
Availability: Winter Assistance:  November 1, 2024 through March 28, 2025. Grants are dispersed on a first-come, first served basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Contact: AEP at 1-800-672-2231 or www.aepohio.com/N2N; or Dollar Energy Fund Inc. at 1-800-683-7036 or www.dollarenergy.org/n2n.

AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light)

Gift of Power
Benefit: Based on need (does not necessarily follow poverty guidelines).
Eligibility: Customers with a disconnection notice or a past due account balance.
Availability: Winter heating season January 16, 2024 through April 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
Contact: The Dayton Salvation Army at 937-528-5120 or AES Ohio at 1-800-433-8500 or www.aes-ohio.com/gift-power.

Duke Energy Ohio

Share the Light
Eligibility: Based on need (does not necessarily follow poverty guidelines). Disconnection status required. PIPP Plus customers are not eligible unless funds are available after March 31, 2024. Duke Energy Ohio territories (Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, Warren).
Available: January 16, 2024 until funds are exhausted.
Contact: Share the Light hotline: 513-762-5636. Apply online at www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/share-the-light or Duke at 1-800-544-6900.

FirstEnergy (The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison)

Each FirstEnergy company has a separate website that can be found at https://firstenergycorp.com/about/utilities.html.

OPAE Fuel Fund
Benefit: Up to $250.
Eligibility: At or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Availability: Begins March 1 and remains available until all funds are exhausted. Apply early in the year to ensure fund availability.
Contact: To apply, call 216-350-8008 to schedule an appointment or apply online at https://development.ohio.gov/individual

Emergency Hardship Funds
These funds assist residential customers who need temporary assistance or have an emergency hardship and vary by company: The Illuminating Co.—Community Outreach Opportunity Program (COOP), Ohio Edison—Project REACH, and Toledo Edison—Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Benefit: Up to $200.
Eligibility: At or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Availability: Open year-round.
Contact: The Illuminating Co. Customers – contact the local Salvation Army at 216-861-8185. Ohio Edison Customers – the local Salvation Army: www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/customer/get-help/files/asst-programs/Project-Reach-Agencies.pdf; Toledo Edison Customers – contact the Salvation Army at 419-241-3549.

Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program—The Illuminating Company only
Benefit: Up to $300.
Eligibility: At or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and has made a good-faith payment within last 90 days.
Availability: Open year-round.
Contact: CHN Housing Partners or Step Forward Today at 216-350-8008 or The Illuminating Co. at 1-800-589-3101.

NATURAL GAS

Columbia Gas of Ohio

HeatShare
Benefit: Up to $450 once per year.
Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. A consumer must be reconnecting service or have a disconnection notice.
Available: Once in a rolling 12-month period.
Contact: Your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or Columbia at 1-800-344-4077 or www.columbiagasohio.com.

Dominion East Ohio

EnergyShare
Benefit: Up to $300.
Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Applicants must have a disconnection notice or be currently disconnected and have used the Winter Crisis Program. Seniors, age 60 or older, do not need a disconnection notice.
Available: For heating assistance December 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024 or until funds run out.
Contact: Your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or Dominion Energy at 1-800-362-7557 or www.dominionenergy.com/ohio/billing/billing-options-and-assistance/energyshare.

Duke Energy Ohio

Share the Light
Eligibility: Based on need (does not necessarily follow poverty guidelines). Disconnection status required. PIPP Plus customers are not eligible unless funds are available after March 31, 2024.
Available: January 16, 2024 until funds are exhausted.
Contact: Share the Light hotline: 513-762-5636. Apply online at www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/share-the-light or Duke at 1-800-544-6900.

WATER

Aqua Ohio

Aqua Aid
Benefit: Up to $300 for water and up to $500 for water and wastewater combined.
Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Applicants may be required to have a disconnection notice or be currently disconnected.
Available: Once in a rolling 12-month period.
Contact: Your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769.