Can I receive help with my utility bills?

Utility bills—especially winter heating gas and electric bill—are often an unaffordable burden for low-income residential consumers.

The “energy burden”—percentage of household income paid for gas and electric service—borne by low-income households is far higher than the energy burden borne by middle- and upper-income households.

Bill payment assistance programs reduce the energy burden on low-income residential consumers by making it easier for low-income consumers to obtain and pay for gas and electric service, and help to prevent disconnection of gas and electric service during the winter heating season.

By preventing the disconnection of gas and electric service during the winter, these programs save lives, protect the health of vulnerable consumers—including children and the elderly—and reduce the disconnection, reconnection, and collection costs of the utility companies.

Bill payment assistance programs may also enable low-income customers to maintain essential telephone service for contacting emergency services, medical providers, government and social service agencies, neighbors, and family.

What is a Utility Allowance and How Does it Affect Me?

Many tenants in federally subsidized housing have trouble paying their utility bills. If you’re having difficulty, there may be a problem with your utility allowance, and you may be getting overcharged for rent. Read more about it now.

What programs are available?

The major bill of payment assistance programs in Ohio are:

• The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

• The Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP)

• The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)

• The Lifeline, Link-Up and Service Connection Assistance (SCA) programs for low-income telephone customers.