Regular HEAP

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency, Office of Community Assistance (OCA). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high cost 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 total household income of an applicant must be at or below 150 percent of the current Federal Fiscal Year federal poverty guidelines. To apply for HEAP, please fill out an application and submit to the Office of Community Assistance.

 

Emergency HEAP

A special component of the HEAP is the Emergency Home Assistance Program (E-HEAP). The E-HEAP is administered by the local delegate agencies. Which in most cases are the local community action agencies (CAAs). The Emergency Program 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.  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.

Households whose gross income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the Emergency Program. Emergency Heap can be applied for by contacting HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Agency.

 

Home Weatherization Assistance Plan

Ohio’s Home Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally funded low-income residential energy efficiency program. The program reduces low-income households’ energy use, thus creating more affordable housing for those in most need. Services include attic, wall and basement insulation; blower door guided air leakage reduction; heating system repairs or replacements; and health and safety testing and inspections. All measures are provided based on an on-site energy audit and on cost effective guidelines developed using the NEAT computerized energy audit. Individualized client education is an important component of the program.

Households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines or households participating in Home Energy Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Supplemental Security Income qualify for this no cost program. Learn more about the Home Weatherization Assistance Plan by contacting HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Agency.

 

Extended Payment Plans  

One-Sixth Payment Plan – This plan will allow a customer who is delinquent, but not yet disconnected, the ability to avoid disconnection by paying six equal monthly payments on the arrearages in addition to full payment of current bills.

One-Third Payment Plan – This plan will allow a customer who is delinquent, but not yet disconnected, the ability to avoid disconnection by paying one-third of the balance due each month (arrearages plus current bill). This plan is available only during the winter heating season (November 1 - April 15).

One-Ninth Payment Plan – This plan will allow a customer who is delinquent, but not yet disconnected, the ability to avoid disconnection by paying nine equal monthly payments on arrearages in addition to a budget payment plan for the projected monthly bills, which will end nine months from the initial payment. The budget amount may be adjusted periodically during the nine month period as needed.

 

Medical Certification

 If disconnection of service would be especially dangerous to health, or make the operation of necessary medical or life-supporting equipment impossible or impractical, you may apply for Medical Certification which will allow you to avoid disconnection for a period of 30 days. To obtain certification, please contact us to have a Medical Certification Form mailed or faxed to your physician so that it can be filled out on your behalf.

Certification may be renewed two additional times, however, the total certification period is not to exceed ninety days per household in any rolling 12 month period. If a Medical Certification is used to avoid disconnection, you will be required to enter into an extended payment plan prior to the end of the medical certification period or be subject to disconnection. The initial payment on the plan will not be due until the end of the certification period.