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Utilities and phone

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (LIHEAP) in Ohio

Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) puts a once-a-year credit on your main heating bill, and households with someone over 60 get a larger benefit.

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From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Office of Community Support Services
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

The Winter Crisis Program helps if you face a shut-off or are low on fuel, and the Summer Crisis Program helps people 60 and older or with a medical need pay for cooling. Since July 1, 2026, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services runs these programs; you apply online or through your local energy assistance provider, usually a community action agency.

How to apply in Ohio

In person
Contact your local energy assistance provider, usually the community action agency for your county. ODJFS lists them on its Community Assistance Providers Map. Applications can also be done by phone; in-person appointments aren't required.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Ohio

Who may qualify for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Income limit (2026–27 draft state plan)175% of the federal poverty level for households of up to seven people
Who pays the billRenters whose utility bill isn't in their name must show they pay all or part of it
Summer Crisis Program, who may qualifyHouseholds with someone 60 or older, or someone with a documented medical condition

Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (source 2)

What you may get

What Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) pays
Regular HEAP benefit (draft 2026–27 plan, based on last year's matrix)$31 to $546, credited to your main heating account. Households with someone over 60, a disabled member, or a child 5 or younger get a larger amount.
Winter Crisis ProgramUp to $1,200 if you have a disconnection or shut-off notice, need to start new service, have less than 25% of a tank of delivered fuel, or need a heating repair. A copay may be required.
Summer Crisis ProgramUp to $2,300 toward cooling bills, an air conditioner, central air repair or fans

Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (source 2)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
Regular HEAP (planned dates, draft 2026–27 plan)Oct. 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027
Winter Crisis Program (planned)Nov. 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Summer Crisis Program (planned)July 1 to Aug. 31, 2027, for households with someone 60 or older or a medical need
Benefit amounts for 2026–27The state's draft plan uses last year's benefit chart and says a final FY 2027 chart will come once federal funding is settled

Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (source 2)

How Ohio is different

Where Ohio's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.

  • Households with someone over 60 get a larger HEAP benefit.
  • Summer cooling help is limited to households with someone 60 or older or a documented medical condition.
  • Ohio's income limit is 175% of the poverty level, higher than the 150% many states use.
  • Ohio also runs the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), which caps gas and electric bills at a share of income for households at or under 150% of poverty.

Sources: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (source 2), State of Ohio (source 4)

Good to know

  • On July 1, 2026, HEAP and Ohio's other energy programs moved from the Department of Development to the Department of Job and Family Services. People already getting help weren't affected.

Source: Ohio Department of Development (source 3)

Free help

Free help with this in Ohio

More help in Ohio

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Energy & Community Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 2026–2027 Draft HEAP State Plan (LIHEAP Model Plan, draft July 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Ohio Department of Development, Program Notice (July 1, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. State of Ohio, Ohio Administrative Code 122:5-3-02, PIPP Plus eligibility (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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