Assistance available with winter heating bills through HEAP

The Ohio Department of Development and HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization, Inc. are reminding Ohioans assistance is available to help with home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring services, establishing new services, at or below 25 percent fuel, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 12 months, may also be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, which started  Nov. 1.

Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application, or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider. Individuals will need copies of the following documents to include with their application:

• Most recent utility bills;

• A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers);

• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types);

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;

• Proof of disability (if applicable);

HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1. Anyone who needs immediate assistance with energy bills, should contact the local energy assistance provider. A list of providers can be found at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis program must be received by March 31, 2022. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2022. 

For more information on the programs, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or call the local energy assistance provider.