Program Availability
Number Of People In Household
The number of people in your household includes anyone living in the home on a full-time basis. This would include adults and children who are not renters. The following people are NOT considered household members:
- Persons who are maintaining their living arrangements temporarily for a reason such as a visit, vacation or education.
- Those in the military, away at college, in a nursing home or a rehabilitation facility, or incarcerated in a correctional facility.
(Exception: If the household has access to a family member’s military income, it does count towards the household income and the individual is counted as a member of the household.)
Yearly Household Income Before Taxes
Maximum yearly household income before taxes includes:
- All sources of income including salaries, wages, child support, SSI, SS and SS Disability, Public Assistance, Workers Compensation, unemployment, pensions, etc.
- Any money earned by a spouse, parent, or any other person 18 years old or over, permanently residing in the home.
- The income of those students who live at home while attending school. However, do not count their income if the student is away at college or other post-secondary education institution.
- Military income, if the household has access to a family member’s military income.
Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) Fuel Fund
The OPAE Fuel Fund provides financial assistance to eligible low- to moderate-income customers to help pay their electric bills. Customers must apply for the HEAP or HEAP Crisis program, if available. To be eligible, customers may apply at their local HEAP provider.
Program Availability: Opens March 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted
Contact: HEAP at 1(800) 282-0880
More Information: https://development.ohio.gov/is/is_heapsummer_prov.htm
Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP) - Cleveland Salvation Army
CO-OP, administered by the Cleveland Salvation Army, is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help paying their electric bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Cleveland Salvation Army at (216) 861-8185
Project REACH
Project REACH, administered by the Salvation Army, is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help paying their electric bill.
Program Availability: Open year-round
More Information: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/ReachAgencies
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Neighbors Helping Neighbors administered by the Toledo Salvation Army, is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help paying their electric bill.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Toledo Salvation Army Information (419) 241-3549
Appointments: Toledo Salvation Army Appointments (419) 241-2294
(Appointment line opens at 8:30 am MONDAYS ONLY until appointments are exhausted.)
Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program
The Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program, administered by the CHN Housing Partners and the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland, is designed to assist residential customers with the payment of their electric bill to maintain their service, or to assist in establishing new service for applicants who have an unpaid bill from a previous residence.
Program Availability: Open year-round or until funds are exhausted
Contacts: CHN Housing Partners 216-912-2211 or 216-518-4014, or Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland 216-263-6266 or 216-518-4014
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the State of Ohio Department of Development through a network of local community action agencies. HEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills.
Program Availability: Program runs from July 1 - March 31
Contact: Ohio Development Service Agency 1-800-282-0880
More Information: https://development.ohio.gov/is/is_energyassist.htm
Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Emergency HEAP provides an emergency payment (once per heating season) for qualified low-income customers. The payment must be used to avoid a shutoff or restore electric service. Applicants must apply in-person at their local HEAP agency.
Program Availability: Winter Crisis runs November 1 - March 31
Summer Crisis runs July 1 - August 31
Contact: Ohio Development Service Agency 1-800-282-0880
More Information: https://development.ohio.gov/is/is_heapsummer_prov.htm
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) provides eligible Ohioans with assistance to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy costs.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Ohio Development Service Agency 1-800-282-0880
More Information: https://development.ohio.gov/is/is_hwap.htm
Dollar Energy Fund
The Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help paying their electric bill.
Program Availability: Opens October 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted
Contact: 1-800-683-7036
More Information: https://www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/application-process/
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through its network of local county assistance offices. LIHEAP Cash provides a cash payment directly to the utility, which is applied toward bill reduction if certain guidelines are met. Applications for the program are accepted through the PA Compass online tool.
Program Availability: Typically opens November 1 and remains open through early April or until funds are exhausted.
Contact: LIHEAP Hotline 1-866-857-7095
More Information: http://www.compass.state.pa.us
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Crisis (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through its network of local county assistance offices. LIHEAP Crisis provides a grant to help customers avoid having their electric service terminated because of over-due bills. This grant also can be used to restore service that was shut off during the winter months. Applicants must apply in-person at their local assistance office and provide a copy of their shut off notice or proof of termination.
Program Availability: Typically opens November 1 and remains open through early April or until funds are exhausted.
Contact: LIHEAP Hotline 1-866-857-7095
More Information: Local County Assistance Office
WARM Program - Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
The WARM Program can help customers lower their electric bill and keep their home more comfortable all year round. No payment is required for these services.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: 1-800-207-9276
More Information: WARM Application
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded grant program that helps low-income customers pay the cost of heating their homes.
Program Availability: Typically open November 1 through early April or until funds have been exhausted
Contact: Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Hotline 1-800-342-3009
More Information: https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-heating-and-cooling-assistance-heap
Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The HEAP Emergency Benefit assists low-income New Yorkers who are facing a heat or heat-related energy emergency and do not have resources available to resolve the emergency. Applicants must contact the local district for assistance.
Program Availability: Typically open January 2 through early April or until funds have been exhausted
Contact: Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Hotline 1-800-342-3009
More Information: Local District Finder
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services through a network of local community-based organizations. HEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills.
Program Availability: Typically open October 1 - April 30 or until funds are exhausted
Contact: HEAP Hotline 1-800-510-3102
More Information:
Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The HEAP Emergency Program provides a grant to help avoid the shut-off of electric service as a result of over-due bills. This grant also can be used to restore service that has already been shut-off during the winter months. Applicants must provide a copy of their shut-off notice or proof of termination.
Program Availability: Typically open March 15 - August 31
Contact: HEAP Hotline 1-800-510-3102
More Information: Agency Finder
New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (New Jersey SHARES)
New Jersey SHARES is a non-profit corporation organized to help individuals and families who have no other means of assistance, by providing temporary help paying their energy bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: NJ Shares Energy Assistance Hotline 1-866-657-4273
More Information: Agency Finder
Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE)
PAGE is an annual assistance program designed to help low- to moderate-income households across the state of New Jersey who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. Applicants must meet the minimum and maximum income eligibility requirement and must not have received Universal Service Fund in the past 6 months or Home Energy Assistance within the last heating season. They must also be facing a crisis situation that includes a documented notice of overdue payment for gas and/or electric service, and have a past history of making regular payments toward their utility bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Affordable Housing Alliance 732-982-8710
More Information:
Comfort Partners
The Comfort Partners Program is a free energy conservation and education program for low-income customers of JCP&L. The program helps customers save energy and money by reducing their electric bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Clear Results 1-800-915-8309
More Information: Comfort Partners Program Application
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
MEAP is a federally funded program, administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs, that helps low-income customers pay their fuel bills. If an Energy Assistance application has been completed in the current program year and the MEAP application box has been checked, the MEAP application process has been completed and no further action is required to be considered for this program.
Program Availability: Applications taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start dates vary per program
Contact: Office of Home Energy Programs 1-800-332-6347
More Information: http://dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/how-do-you-apply/
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
EUSP is a state-funded program, administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs, that helps low-income electric customers pay their electric bills. Help may be available whether customers have active electric service, terminated service or owe outstanding bills and are applying for new service. If an Energy Assistance application has been completed in the current program year and the EUSP application box has been checked, the EUSP application process has been completed and no further action is required to be considered for this program.
Program Availability: Applications are taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start dates vary per program.
Contact: Office of Home Energy Programs 1-800-332-6347
More Information: http://dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/how-do-you-apply/
Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
USPP is a federally sponsored program, administered by the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Home Energy Programs, that provides customers certain protections during the heating season. If an Energy Assistance application has been completed in the current program year and the USPP application box has been checked, the USPP application process has been completed and no further action is required to be considered for this program.
Program Availability: Applications are taken year-round for all programs; however, benefit start dates vary per program.
Contact: Office of Home Energy Programs 1-800-332-6347
More Information: http://dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/how-do-you-apply/
EmPOWER Low income Energy Efficiency Programs
The EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), helps low-income households with installation of energy conservation materials in their homes. No payment is required for these services. These improvements may reduce a household’s energy use, lower monthly utility bills, make occupants more comfortable and may improve the air quality and overall health of the family.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Housing & Building Energy Programs 1-855-583-8976
More Information: EmPOWER-Pre-Application
Dollar Energy Fund
The Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help paying their electric bill.
Program Availability: Opens October 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted
Contact: 1-800-683-7036
More Information: Application Process
WV Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP, administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), helps eligible customers avoid termination of service. Applicants must present a disconnect notice at the county DHHR office.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: WV Department of Health & Human Resources 304-558-0684
More Information: Agency Finder
WV Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
The LIEAP program, administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), assists low-income customer whose primary heating source is electric or gas.
Program Availability: Typically opens in February and remains open until funds are exhausted
Contact: WV Department of Health & Human Resources 304-356-4619
More Information: LIEAP Application
WV Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (E-LIEAP)
The DHHR accepts applications and awards E-LIEAP to customers who have received a termination notice after applying and qualifying for LIEAP. Applicants must provide a copy of their shut-off notice or proof of termination.
Program Availability: Typically opens in February and remains open until funds are exhausted
Contact: WV Department of Health & Human Resources 304-356-4619
More Information: Agency Finder
Universal Service Fund Program (USF)
USF, administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, provides low-income customers a payment plan to help lower the monthly cost for electric service. Participants pay a maximum percentage of their total household income for electric and natural gas.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs 1-866-240-1347
More Information:
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus)
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus), administered by the Ohio Development Service Agency, gives customers the option of an extended payment arrangement based on a percentage of a customer's household income.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Ohio Development Service Agency 1-800-282-0880
More Information: http://www.energyhelp.ohio.gov
Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP)
PCAP, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, helps residential customers maintain electric service and eliminate their past-due balance by offering a reduced bill that is based on a percentage of income and debt forgiveness.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact:
- Dollar Energy Fund 1-888-282-6816
- Dollar Energy MyApp Portal*
More Information: PCAP Application Information
Community Energy Fund (CEF)
CEF is a need-based program that assists qualifying residential customers who need emergency help paying their electric bill.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contacts: Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs – 301-631-2670, Allegany Co. Department of Social Services – 301-784-7000, Washington Co. Community Action Council – 301-797-4161, Human Services Programs of Carroll County – 410-857-2999, Garrett Co. Community Action Committee – 301-334-9431
Lifeline
Lifeline provides funding for utility bills (electric and natural gas) for qualifying disabled persons and senior citizens. Customers must apply annually to receive the benefit. The Lifeline benefit pertains only to the customer's primary residence and must be in the customer's or the spouse's name. To qualify for Lifeline, your income must be less than $27,951 (single) or less than $34,268 (married).
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Lifeline hotline 1-800-792-9745
More Information: Lifeline Detail
Ohio 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: https://www.211oh.org/
Pennsylvania 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: https://www.uwp.org/what-2-1-1
West Virginia 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: http://www.wv211.org/
Maryland 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: https://211md.org/
New York 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: http://www.ny211.org/
New Jersey 211
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need such as housing, utility assistance, employment and more.
Program Availability: Open year-round
Contact: Dial 211 from your phone
More Information: http://www.nj211.org/*