Consumer Utility Assistance
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) offers fact sheets about assistance programs and disconnection protections for utility services. Listed here are consumer assistance programs provided by a variety of organizations, including utilities. Some programs provide a one-time credit toward a utility bill while others may help reduce monthly bills, establish a payment plan, or weatherize the home to make it more energy efficient. As some assistance may be based on household income, it helps to check income eligibility before applying.
Assistance Programs
These programs have income-based requirements and you can apply through your local Energy Assistance Provider or Community Action Agency:
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
A benefit directly applied once per heating season to the main heat source or bulk fuel bill.
HEAP Winter Crisis Program (WCP)
Maintain or restore service, establish new or transfer service, help with a PIPP default or first PIPP payment.
Available Nov.–March
HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP)
Assists with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, an air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases.
Available July–Sept.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus)
A year-round extended payment plan to pay electric and/or natural gas bills based on a percentage of household income.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
Assists income-eligible Ohioans to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
- View as list
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a benefit directly applied once per heating season to the main heat source (electric, natural gas) or bulk fuel bill (fuel oil, propane, wood, coal). Consumers must be income eligible.
- HEAP Winter Crisis Program (WCP) assists income-eligible Ohioans: maintain or restore service; establish new or transfer service; with a PIPP default; or first PIPP payment. WCP is available Nov.–March annually.
- HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP) assists income-eligible Ohioans with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, an air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases. SCP is available from July–Sept. annually.
- Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) is a year-round extended payment plan allowing eligible customers to pay electric and/or natural gas bills based on a percentage of household income, so service is more affordable. Debt can be forgiven with on-time and in-full payments.
- Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) assists income-eligible Ohioans to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
These programs do not need to go through your local Energy Assistance Provider or Community Action Agency, unless otherwise indicated:
Special Reconnect Order (SRO)
Assistance for utility customers (regardless of income) to reconnect or avoid service disconnection.
Available mid-Oct. to mid-April
30-Day Medical Certificate
Helps consumers avoid disconnection or reconnect service if someone in the home has a medical condition.
Utility-Provided Assistance Programs
Helps utility customers with payment assistance for electric, natural gas and/or water bills.
Consumer Assistance for Military Families
Provides service members and their families with special utility service protections and assistance.
Telephone Lifeline Programs in Ohio
Can provide income-eligible consumers a discount on telephone service.
- View as list
- Special Reconnect Order (SRO) is available mid-Oct. to mid-April for investor-owned electric and natural gas utility customers (regardless of income) to reconnect or avoid service disconnection.
- 30-Day Medical Certificate helps consumers avoid disconnection or reconnect service with investor-owned utilities if someone in the home has a medical condition making it “especially dangerous” to be without electric, natural gas or water.
- Utility-Provided Assistance Programs helps utility customers with payment assistance for electric, natural gas and/or water bills.
- Consumer Assistance for Military Families may provide service members and their families special utility service protections and assistance.
- Telephone Lifeline Programs can provide income-eligible consumers a discount on telephone service.
Service Disconnection and Reconnection
Many consumers struggle to pay electric and natural gas bills. Use OCC’s Guide to Energy Disconnection and Reconnection to learn about disconnection rights and responsibilities.
Need Help with Your Utility Bills? Payment Plans are Available
Do you need more time to pay the full bill or need an extended payment arrangement? If so, contact your utility company to ask for an individualized payment plan. If you can’t arrange a personalized plan, electric and natural gas utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio are required to offer you a payment plan.
Can You Benefit from a Utility Third-Party Notification?
Sometimes a consumer may not have paid his or her utility bill for electric, gas, or water service. In this situation, the utility’s Third-Party Notification program serves as a safety net for consumers whose utility service could be disconnected.
Additional Resources
Consumers are encouraged to contact their local Energy Assistance Provider or Community Action Agency (see www.energyhelp.ohio.gov), Department of Job and Family Services, and municipal and county governments about the availability of assistance programs.
Aqua Aid Ohio
Aqua Aid is currently available for Aqua Ohio customers who have fallen behind on their bills. Please call 1-877-987-2782 to request assistance on your account.
Ohio Department of Development
Ohio Home Relief Grant
Ohioans can receive assistance with rent, mortgage, or utilities (gas, electric, bulk fuel, water/sewer, and trash) through the local Energy Assistance Provider or Community Action Agency or via an online application. For more information or to apply online visit https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/home-relief-grant.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Save the Dream Ohio
Utility Assistance Plus provides eligible Ohio homeowners with financial assistance to pay delinquent utility bills, property taxes, and other housing costs not included in the mortgage payment. This program is administered through local Energy Assistance Providers or Community Action Agencies.
More information on both programs is available at https://savethedream.ohiohome.org/.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Rental Assistance Finder
The Rental Assistance Finder allows renters to find information on rental assistance in their area and apply for assistance. For more information visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/. In Ohio, emergency rental assistance programs are administered by local Energy Assistance Providers or Community Action Agencies.
Dynegy Energy Aid
This pilot program is an electricity bill payment assistance program for Ohio customers in crisis. Consumers may be eligible to receive funds directly applied to their utility bill for services that are past due, under threat of disconnection, or already disconnected. Disconnection notices are not necessary. Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available. For more information and how to apply, visit https://www.dollarenergy.org/program/dynegy-energy-aid/.
Partnering Dynegy utility companies:
- Columbus Southern
- Ohio Power
- AES Ohio
- Duke Energy
- Illuminating Company
- Ohio Edison
- Toledo Edison
United Way
211 connects you to expert, caring help. Every call is completely confidential. Call 211 from any phone or go online to www.211.org.
American Rescue Plan
Help is here with the American Rescue Plan. Learn more about how to access your benefits here: www.whitehouse.gov/american-rescue-plan.