Ohio calls its LIHEAP program “HEAP” — the Home Energy Assistance Program — administered by the Ohio Department of Development through a network of local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) serving all 88 Ohio counties. Ohio’s energy assistance system is one of the most comprehensive in the series: a single application at energyhelp.ohio.gov screens for HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program (WCP), the Summer Crisis Program (SCP), PIPP Plus (Percentage of Income Payment Plan), the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP), and several other components simultaneously.
Ohio also has two utility-level programs that work alongside HEAP with no income requirement: the Winter Reconnect Order (allowing service restoration for $175 or less once per heating season) and mandatory utility participation in PIPP Plus — where regulated gas and electric utilities must offer low-income customers a payment plan capped at 6–10% of monthly household income.
Ohio HEAP’s Four Main Components
HEAP — Regular Heating Benefit
A one-time annual credit toward the primary heating source (natural gas, electric, propane, oil, kerosene, coal, or wood), applied directly to the utility bill. Benefit range: $24 minimum to $441 maximum for FY 2026. Benefit amounts depend on household poverty level, primary heating source, geographic region of Ohio, whether anyone in the home is disabled or age 60+, and whether the household is enrolled in PIPP Plus.
Benefits are typically credited to the heating bill beginning in January (not immediately upon approval). Applications accepted July through May.
HEAP benefit is reduced by 75% for PIPP Plus households — PIPP Plus participants still receive some HEAP assistance, just a reduced amount.
30-day disconnection protection: When you complete an online or paper application for HEAP (or PIPP Plus), electric and natural gas utilities regulated by the PUCO must delay disconnection for 30 days. This delay can be used once per year during WCP and once per year for HEAP outside the crisis period.
Winter Crisis Program (WCP)
Emergency heating assistance for households disconnected or facing imminent disconnection. Maximum: $1,200. Program period: November 1 through March 31.
Qualifying situations:
- Disconnected from primary heating service
- Received a disconnection notice (pending disconnection)
- Need to establish new service or transfer service
- Have 25% or less of bulk fuel supply remaining
- Heating system needs repair
Important WCP rule: Households with a current medical certificate on file with their utility are ineligible for WCP until the medical certificate protection expires.
WCP and PIPP: You may be required to sign up for PIPP Plus to receive Winter Crisis Program benefits. Contact your local CAA for the specific requirement in your county.
Summer Crisis Program (SCP)
Cooling emergency assistance for households facing a cooling-related crisis during summer. Maximum: $800. Program period: July 1 through September 30.
Qualifying criteria for SCP include a household member who is age 60 or older or has a documented medical condition exacerbated by heat.
PIPP Plus — Percentage of Income Payment Plan
Ohio’s PIPP Plus is a mandatory statewide program requiring all PUCO-regulated electric and natural gas utilities to participate. Under PIPP Plus:
- Natural gas or electric heat: monthly payment = 6% of monthly household income or $10, whichever is greater
- All-electric homes: monthly payment = 10% of monthly household income or $10, whichever is greater
- New PIPP Plus customers: no security deposit and no late fees assessed
- PIPP Plus customers must apply for all energy assistance and weatherization programs they’re eligible for (including HEAP and HWAP)
- Income must be reverified periodically — reverification uses 5% or 10% of total household income for the past 30 days depending on heating source
PIPP Plus is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s HEAP office — the same office that runs HEAP. Apply at the same CAA or through energyhelp.ohio.gov.
Winter Reconnect Order — No Income Requirement
Ohio’s Winter Reconnect Order is unique in this series: it allows residential customers of PUCO-regulated utilities that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection to restore service by paying either the total amount owed or $175 (whichever is less), plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36. This runs mid-October through mid-April each heating season and can be used once per heating season.
No income eligibility requirement — any Ohio residential utility customer can use the Winter Reconnect Order regardless of income. Income-eligible households can then also access HEAP and WCP funds. Contact your PUCO-regulated utility to initiate the Winter Reconnect Order.
Ohio HEAP Income Limits 2026
Ohio uses 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for HEAP, WCP, SCP, and PIPP Plus. For households of 9 or more members, 60% of State Median Income (SMI) applies. Weatherization (HWAP) uses 200% FPG. Income is based on the last 30 days or previous 12 months (whichever is used; wages/salaries of dependent minors under 18 are excluded).
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (175% FPG) | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,214 | $26,567 |
| 2 | $2,994 | $35,933 |
| 3 | $3,775 | $45,300 |
| 4 | $4,556 | $54,667 |
| 5 | $5,336 | $64,033 |
| 6 | $6,117 | $73,400 |
| 7 | $6,898 | $82,767 |
| 8 | $7,678 | $92,133 |
| 9+ | 60% SMI applies | — |
Based on 175% FPG. Ohio publishes the income guidelines table on the HEAP application at energyhelp.ohio.gov. Confirm current figures before applying.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Ohio HEAP has no asset test.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, TANF, or SSI automatically meet income requirements. No additional income verification is needed.
Subsidized housing ineligibility: Applicants living in federally subsidized housing where heat is included in the rent are not eligible for HEAP. Residents in licensed medical facilities (hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities), publicly operated community residences (e.g., YMCA), boarding/rooming houses, group homes, and emergency shelters are also ineligible.
Who Qualifies for Ohio HEAP
- Ohio residency as primary dwelling
- Income at or below 175% FPG (or 60% SMI for 9+ member households)
- Responsible for heating costs — paying directly to a PUCO-regulated utility or fuel vendor (not included in subsidized rent)
- U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status
Both homeowners and renters are eligible, including those in subsidized housing where residents pay their own utility bills directly.
How to Apply for Ohio HEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online at energyhelp.ohio.gov
Online (fastest): Apply at energyhelp.ohio.gov — Ohio’s dedicated energy assistance portal. A single application covers HEAP, WCP, SCP, PIPP Plus, and HWAP. Create an account to check application status after submitting.
HEAP hotline: Call 1-800-282-0880 (Ohio HEAP) for program information and to find your local CAA. Also in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
For a general overview of the LIHEAP application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
By mail: Download the Energy Assistance Programs Application from energyhelp.ohio.gov (English or Spanish) and mail to: Energy Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 1240, Columbus, Ohio 43216.
By appointment: Schedule in person at your local CAA. Find your county’s CAA at development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_caa.htm.
Step 2 — Required Documents
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of gross income for the past 30 days (or 12 months) for all household members — pay stubs, SNAP/TANF/SSI award letters, Social Security benefit statements (wages of dependent minors under 18 are excluded)
- Most recent utility bill showing your account number and service address
Fraud warning: Providing inaccurate income or household composition information risks being dropped from PIPP and/or other energy assistance programs, being ineligible to reapply for 24 months, having arrearage credits added back to your utility bill, and receiving a bill from your utility for the full account balance.
Step 3 — Check Status
After submitting, check your application status at energyhelp.ohio.gov (create an account). For more general guidance, see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
Ohio HEAP Funding 2026
Ohio received $181,249,518 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $6,107,567 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Ohio served 254,217 heating households, 76,800 winter crisis households, 44,810 summer crisis households, and 4,023 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare Ohio with other states.
Ohio’s summer crisis enrollment (44,810) is substantial — reflecting the Summer Crisis Program’s broad reach for households with elderly or medical-need members.
Additional Resources for Ohio Families
Ohio SNAP (Food Assistance): Check Ohio SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Ohio.
Ohio Medicaid: Check Ohio Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Ohio WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or call 877-645-6164 for Ohio 2-1-1, which refers to local CAAs, food banks, and other resources statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for Ohio HEAP?
Ohio uses 175% of Federal Poverty Guidelines — $4,556/month ($54,667/year) for a household of 4 in 2026. For households of 9 or more, 60% of State Median Income applies. There is no asset limit. Income is based on the last 30 days or 12 months.
What is PIPP Plus?
PIPP Plus (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) is Ohio’s state-mandated monthly payment plan where customers of PUCO-regulated gas and electric utilities pay no more than 6–10% of monthly income toward energy bills. It’s mandatory for regulated utilities and year-round. Apply through energyhelp.ohio.gov or your local CAA.
What is the Winter Reconnect Order?
The Winter Reconnect Order allows any Ohio residential utility customer — regardless of income — to restore disconnected service or avoid disconnection by paying $175 or the total amount owed (whichever is less), plus up to $36 reconnection fee. Available mid-October through mid-April, once per heating season.
Why is my HEAP benefit reduced if I’m on PIPP?
HEAP benefits for PIPP Plus households are reduced by 75% because PIPP already provides monthly bill assistance. You still receive some HEAP benefit, just a reduced amount.
Can I apply if my utilities are included in rent?
No — Ohio HEAP is not available to households in federally subsidized housing where heat is included in rent. Residents of hospitals, nursing facilities, boarding houses, group homes, and emergency shelters are also ineligible.
For current Ohio HEAP information and to apply, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or call 1-800-282-0880.