Ohio
FY 2012/2013 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-282-0880; TDD: 1-800-686-1557; Franklin County 614-752-8808
Website: http://development.ohio.gov/is/is_heap.htm
Local LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Community Action Agencies
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$140,022,549
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
60% State Median Income
LIHEAP FY 2012 Benefit
Heating: $178 average, $450 maximum
Winter crisis: $338 average, $750 maximum
Summer crisis: $168 average, $250 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2012 heating)
459,082
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: September 1 - May 31
Winter Crisis: November 1 - March 31
Summer Crisis: June 1 - August 31
State
Low-Income Rate Assistance
PIPP Plus
Ohio's regulated gas and electric utilities are mandated to participate in the statewide PIPP. Low-income customers who heat with natural gas pay 6 percent of their monthly income or $10 (whichever is greater) to their gas or electric company.
Customers with all-electric homes pay $10 or 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month, whichever is greater.
Zero-income customers are required to pay a $10 minimum monthly payment for both natural gas and electric.
When PIPP Plus payments are made on time and in full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time they pay their required monthly payment on time and in full, they no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount.
They also receive a one-twenty-fourth credit toward any old debt. If they make full, on-time payments for 24 months straight, all of the arrearages would be eliminated.
Eligibility: must receive primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, total household income must be 150 percent FPG or below, and, if eligible, must apply for all energy assistance programs. PIPP is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s HEAP (or LIHEAP) office.
1-800-282-0880 (Ohio HEAP)
http://development.ohio.gov/is/is_pipp.htm
Contact local community action agencies at: www.oacaa.org/directory.html
Contact County Job and Family Services Agencies at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf
Winter Reconnect Program
Allows residential customers of regulated utilities that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored by paying either the total amount they owe or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36. The Winter Reconnect Order may be used once during each heating season, which runs from mid-October through mid-April. There is no income eligibility requirement for the Winter Reconnect Program. Income-eligible households can use Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) funds for the $175 payment. No signup is required. If service has been disconnected for non-payment or is being threatened with disconnection, the customer must pay the required fees to the utility company and follow the company’s procedures to get reconnected. If paying at an authorized agent, the customer will also need to call the utility with the receipt number to report the payment.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) was provided for under Ohio's 1999 electric restructuring legislation and is funded by the electric universal service rider. Its goal is to reduce electric consumption by households that participate in the state's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The program is targeted to high consumption, high arrears PIPP households and is composed of two types of programs:
- A baseload efficiency program which audits lighting, appliances and all other uses of electricity not related to heating and installs appropriate measures; and,
- A weatherization program for those who heat with electricity and who have moderate to high usage. This program adds insulation, performs heating system inspections and addresses health & safety measures.
The EPP began operations in March 2002 and is administered by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency.
USFMail@odod.state.oh.us for more information.
In addition to programs offered by electric utilities through EPP, gas utilities also provide energy efficiency programs. LIHEAP funds transferred to the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency are matched with utility funds to allow local providers to serve more households.
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
American Electric Power
Crisis Response Fund
Electric bill assistance and weatherization for AEP customers. Eligibility is between 176 percent and 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. AEP Ohio customers can learn whether they are eligible for the assistance program, and apply for help in paying their electric bills, by contacting their local community action agency or the Ohio Department of Development's Home Energy Assistance Program toll-free hotline at 1-800-282-0880, Monday through Friday.
Find your local community action agency at www.oacaa.org/directory.html
www.aepohio.com/account/bills/assistance/Default.aspx
Columbia Gas
Utility Fuel Fund
This fund offers a one-time assistance payment of up to $250 per heating season to maintain or restore service. Customers do not need to be disconnected or facing disconnection to qualify.
Lucas County: Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo Inc. (EOPA), 866-504-7392
Wood, Seneca, Ottawa and Sandusky counties: WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., 419-334-8911
Columbia Customer Contact Center, 1-800-344-4077
Dayton Power & Light
937-331-3900 or 1-800-433-8500; TTY-TTD (hearing impaired) 1-800-750-0750
www.waytogo.com/payAssist.php
- Percentage of Income Payment Plan Credit Program
Customers who have been on the PIPP program for one year and have more than 12 months PIPP arrears may be eligible for PIPP credits. The amount of credit is based on the total 12 months arrears. This credit is applied to the outstanding balance and not to the current installment.
- Fresh Start
An arrearage-crediting program for customers no longer on PIPP.
Duke Energy
- Ohio Gas Residential Low Income Pilot Program
Duke Energy Ohio is launching a new pilot program to help low-income residents save money on the cost of natural gas service. Customers who are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guideline, are not enrolled in the PIPP and who use less than 900 ccf of natural gas annually are eligible for the program. The first 10,000 customers to enroll will receive a $4 monthly credit to offset rate increases. Customers who have been part of the Home Energy Assistance Program in the past year have been automatically enrolled in the pilot program. Other customers who are eligible can enroll by filling out a self-verification form available at Duke’s customer service office at 644 Linn Street in Cincinnati or at your local Community Action Agency. An application is also available on Duke's website. Call Duke Energy at (513) 421-9500, or from a toll area call (800) 544-6900. Persons who have a hearing impairment may call the TDD/TYY toll free number (800) 752-6254.
www.duke-energy.com/ohio/special-assistance/oh-res-low-income-pilot.asp
- Ohio Electric Residential Low Income Pilot Program
Provides assistance to low-income electric customers by making lower rates available to eligible customers.
Customers who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline and are not enrolled in the PIPP are eligible for the program. An application is available on Duke Energy's website and at Duke’s customer service office at 644 Linn Street in Cincinnati or at your local Community Action Agency. Call Duke Energy at (513) 421-9500, or from a toll area call (800) 544-6900. Persons who have a hearing impairment may call the TDD/TYY toll free number (800) 752-6254.
www.duke-energy.com/ohio/special-assistance/oh-electric-res-low-income-pilot.asp
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Columbia Gas
Warm Choice
Weatherization measures include insulation, air sealing and high-efficiency furnaces. Homeowners and renters whose income is 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines are eligible. To apply for WarmChoice benefits, call the WarmChoice toll free number at
1-800-952-3037 to be directed to your local provider.
www.columbiagasohio.com/en/your-home/Rights/Assistance-Programs.aspx
Dominion East Ohio
Housewarming Program
Provides weatherization assistance to help eligible customers reduce their energy usage. The program provides free weather-stripping, attic and sidewall insulation, door sweeps and other insulation devices. Client education is also part of the Housewarming Program to educate consumers on ways to reduce consumption effectively. For information, call 1-888-377-3774.
www.dom.com/dominion-east-ohio/customer-service/your-bill/energy-assistance-programs.jsp
Duke Energy
Income-qualified customers receive a furnace or heat pump clean and tune, energy-efficient light bulbs, energy-saving tips and if needed, a hot water heater wrap, weather stripping and pipe wrap. Depending on the condition of your home and its energy usage, other services may include duct sealing, wall and attic insulation and other air leakage sealing measures. For additional information, call People Working Cooperatively at 513-351-7921 or e-mail kschroder@duke-energy.com and reference this program.
www.duke-energy.com/ohio/savings/home-weatherization.asp
Vectren
TEEM
Qualifying households can receive energy efficiency measures in their home at no cost. Improvements, such as upgrading insulation or installing a new natural gas
furnace, are made by a team of energy efficiency professionals from the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area. Households with income at 300 percent of poverty or less are eligible for the program. Call 1-800-617-2673 to see if you qualify.
www.vectren.com/web/eenablement/learn_about/conservation/weatherization_ohio_i.jsp
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
American Electric Power
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
AEP Ohio and Dollar Energy Fund have teamed up to assist low-income AEP Ohio customers who have difficulty paying their electric bill. Eligible customers will receive a utility assistance grant applied directly to their AEP Ohio bill. Contact AEP at 1-800-277-2177 or locate a local agency at the website address below to apply for assistance.
www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/Neighbor-To-NeighborProgram_OH.aspx
Columbia Gas
- Auction Fuel Fund
This fund can provide up to $250 per heating season and is a fund of last resort for families who have exhausted all other available emergency assistance programs. Households at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for this fund.
Lucas County: Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo Inc. (EOPA), 866-504-7392
Wood, Seneca, Ottawa and Sandusky counties: WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., 419-334-8911
Columbia Customer Contact Center, 1-800-344-4077
- Utility Fuel Fund
This fund offers a one-time assistance payment of up to $250 per heating season to maintain or restore service. Customers do not need to be disconnected or facing disconnection to qualify.
Lucas County: Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo Inc. (EOPA), 866-504-7392
Wood, Seneca, Ottawa and Sandusky counties: WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., 419-334-8911
Columbia Customer Contact Center, 1-800-344-4077
- Winter Crisis Fuel Fund
Fund of last resort that can provide up to $175 to customers who are disconnected or threatened with disconnection. Households at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for this fund.
Lucas County: Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo Inc. (EOPA), 866-504-7392
Wood, Seneca, Ottawa and Sandusky counties: WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., 419-334-8911
Columbia Customer Contact Center, 1-800-344-4077
- Heatshare
Funded by shareholder and customer donations, this fund helps low-income customers who have nowhere else to turn for energy assistance. To apply for HeatShare, contact your local chapter of The Salvation Army.
1-800-344-4077, TDD/TTY: 1-877-460-2443
www.columbiagasohio.com/en/your-home/Rights/Assistance-Programs.aspx
Dominion East Ohio
EnergyShare
Sponsored by Dominion East Ohio, the EnergyShare program is designed to help needy individuals and families pay any type of winter heating bill--natural gas, wood, oil, kerosene or electricity. Contact your local Salvation Army office to apply.
1-800-362-7557
www.dom.com/about/community/energyshare.jsp
Duke Energy
HeatShare
Designed to assist those in need with heating bills during the winter season. Eligibility is based upon need and doesn’t necessarily follow government assistance guidelines. An individual must be subject to disconnection of service in order to qualify. Eligible customers may apply for a one-time annual assistance beginning mid-January through May or until funds are depleted. For additional information or to apply for assistance, contact the Salvation Army at 513-721-0795 after the program begins in mid-January.
www.duke-energy.com/community/programs/heatshare.asp
Ohio Edison
Project Reach
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the local Salvation Army office.
1-800-633-4766
The Illuminating Company
Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP)
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Cleveland Salvation Army.
216-861-8185
Toledo Edison
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Toledo Salvation Army.
419-241-3549
Consolidated Electric Cooperative
The People Fund
A community service program that responds to the needs of the community that aren't met through other agencies and organizations. Funded mainly by customer donations. Online applications are available.
419-947-3055, 740-363-2541 or 1-800-421-5863, or email
www.consolidatedelectric.coop/community/people_fund.asp
Firelands Electric
Operation Round Up
Customer donations assist individuals and organizations.
419-929-1571 or 1-800-533-8658
www.firelandsec.com/content/operation-round-funding
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative
Operation Helping Others
Customer donations assist individuals and community organizations. Funds will not pay utility bills.
New Concord 740-826-7661
Cambridge 740-432-4167
Zanesville 740-454-0770 or 1-800-521-9879
www.gmenergy.com/Community/OHO.aspx
Logan County Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, child care programs, and individuals with special needs are just a few of the possibilities for customer Operation Round Up donations. Online applications are available.
937-592-4781
www.loganrec.com/oprounddesc.asp
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
For more information, contact the cooperative’s Member Services Department at 440-647-2133 or email
www.lmre.org/myCommunity/peopleFund.aspx
North Central Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
For more information, contact the cooperative's Member Services Department at 419-426-3072 or by email.
www.ncelec.org/myCommunity/peoplefund.aspx