Income-based Energy Assistance Programs

How it works

The page says the State of Ohio offers several programs to help Ohioans pay utility bills and improve home energy efficiency. It identifies three programs: the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP), and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus.

What the money covers

• HEAP provides a one-time annual benefit toward a household’s primary heating source account. The page gives the example that if a home is heated with gas, a credit will be provided to the gas bill.
• HWAP reduces energy use for qualified low-income households. Services listed include attic, wall, and basement insulation; blower-door-guided air leakage reduction; heating system repairs or replacements; and health and safety testing and inspections. The page says all measures are based on an on-site energy efficiency assessment.
• PIPP Plus is an extended payment arrangement requiring regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of household income.

Amounts and terms

• The HEAP benefit amount depends on federal funding levels, household size, and total household income.
• For PIPP Plus, households whose monthly countable income is at or below 150% of the current federal poverty guidelines pay 6% of monthly household income to the gas company and 6% to the electric company if they heat with gas.

Income explanation

The page includes a household income definition describing included income such as wages, interest, annuities, pensions, Social Security, retirement, employment disability, public assistance, SSI, alimony, child support, unemployment benefits, Workers’ Compensation, and other indirect income such as utility allowances, with some exclusions for documented health insurance premiums and Medicare premiums. It says to visit energyhelp.ohio.gov for the full list of included and excluded income.

Timing and status

The page describes these as available state programs but does not give application deadlines or funding caps.