Assistance with Heating and Cooling Costs


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Assistance with Heating and Cooling Costs:

NOCAC has a variety of funding sources and programs available to assist families and individuals with the high cost of utilities and help avoid the disconnection of utility services. Individuals experiencing a crisis involving utilities should contact their local NOCAC Community Service Office for more information regarding eligibility. The services include:

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is designed to aid low-income persons in the payment of winter heating bills or the cost of cooling homes in the summer. The program has two basic components: the Regular Component (which provides a one-time payment for eligible PUCO regulated utility customers for the winter heating season) and the Emergency Component for Winter or Summer Crisis (which provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a ten day supply of bulk fuel; to eligible households to assist customers with their cooling costs and/or to provide air conditioners during the summer for those with a physician’s note or prescription verifying that they have a respiratory condition or illness that is aggravated by the heat.) Limited Other Assistance with Utility Bills is also available. NOCAC Community Service Workers have a variety of funding sources available to assist eligible customers with payments to avoid utility disconnects.

Regular HEAP

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Service (OCS). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohio residents meet the high costs of home heating. HEAP provides a one-time payment for PUCO regulated utility customers for the winter heating season. Vouchers are issued to non-regulated utility customers, master-metered and other applicants who do not have a utility bill in their name.

The heating source does not have to be in “disconnect” status to receive assistance with Regular HEAP. For more information about eligibility and application requirements click here: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/regheap.htm NOCAC Community Service Offices have applications available and can assist you in completing them.

Winter Crisis Program:

The HEAP Winter Crisis Program (E-HEAP) provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a ten day supply of bulk fuel. Those households serviced by a PUCO-regulated utility must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) in order to receive emergency benefits. Bulk fuel users must certify in writing that they have less then a ten-day supply of bulk fuel in order to be eligible. Emergency HEAP can also help pay for heating system repairs in certain cases. The Winter Crisis program is in operation November – March.

Eligibility Requirements: Households whose gross income is at or below 200% percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the Emergency Program. Additional information on the HEAP program and income eligibility is available from the Ohio Department of Development. Contact your local Community Service Office to apply for E-HEAP.

Summer Crisis Program:

The Summer HEAP Program is available to assist eligible customers with their cooling costs (i.e. Electric bills) and/or to provide air conditioners for those with a physician’s note or prescription verifying that they have a respiratory condition or illness that is aggravated by the heat. The Summer HEAP Program is available June – August. Income eligibility is at 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Other Assistance With Utility Bills:

NOCAC Community Service Workers have a variety of funding sources available to assist eligible customers with payments to avoid utility disconnects. Funding is provided by Local United Way agencies, a Community Service Block Grant, Bryan Good Neighbors Utility Fund, and an Emergency Food and Shelter Grant , as well as donations from other private organizations. Contact a Community Service Office for more information.

Links to Other Useful Sites

Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel This Ohio agency provides information on electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and assists in resolving complaints.