Struggling to pay your electric bill? We can help.
There are many reasons you or someone you know may need help with home energy costs. We understand and can offer a variety of programs to help you budget your monthly payments, pay seasonal energy bills, catch up on past-due payments, or avoid service disconnection.
See what programs are available in your area and learn about what type of assistance could be available based on your location, household size and income.
NEW Special COVID Assistance Programs
Learn about temporary assistance programs that may be offered in your area.
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Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus)
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus)
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) is an extended payment arrangement that allows regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of a customer's household income. Eligible customers have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level.
Customers enrolled in this program must pay a percentage of their household income - the PIPP Plus Amount - every month of the year. Customers who do not heat their homes with electricity will be required to pay 5 percent of their gross monthly household income each month or $10 (whichever is more). Customers who heat their homes with electricity will be required to pay 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month or $10 (whichever is more).
Customers who are no longer eligible for PIPP Plus because of their household income may participate in the PIPP Arrearage Crediting (PAC) plan. PAC helps customers pay off the amount in arrears that was deferred while enrolled in PIPP Plus.
Program Availability: Open year-round
To Apply:
- Contact Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) at 800-282-0880
- Ohio Department of Development's Website*
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
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
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) through a network of energy assistance providers. HEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills.
HEAP has two components:
1. HEAP Cash Program - Annual grant to help with heating costs.
2. HEAP Emergency Program - 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. Application dates are October through May (Winter Crisis) and July through August (Summer Crisis).
Summer Crisis is opening July 1st and will run through September 30th.
The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans with cooling assistance during the summer months. Applications must be submitted in person. Please visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov for program information and documentation requirements. Households must meet at least one of the following conditions:- Age 60 and Over
- A Documented Medical Condition
- A Disconnection, Termination or Transfer of Services
To Apply:- Contact Ohio Department of Development at 800-282-0880
- https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance*
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Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) Fuel Fund
Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) Fuel Fund
OPAE Fuel Fund provides financial assistance to eligible low- to moderate-income customers to help pay their electric bills. Customers must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines and must apply for the HEAP or HEAP Crisis program, if available. Customer may apply for OPAE Fuel Fund, HEAP and HEAP Crisis at their local HEAP provider.
Program Availability: Opens March 1 and remains open until funds are exhaustedTo Apply:
- Contact Ohio Department of Development at 800-282-0880
- Ohio Department of Development's Website*
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Project REACH
Project REACH
Project REACH is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. Program funding is provided by Ohio Edison customers and company employees. The distribution of funds is administered by the Salvation Army located throughout the Ohio Edison service territory.
To make a contribution to Project REACH, please complete and return the contribution form below.
Program Availability: Open year-round
To Apply:
Make a Donation:
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211 Helpline
211 Helpline
This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round
To Apply:
- Call 211
- Text your ZIP Code to 898211
- 211 Website*
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Extended Due Date
Extended Due Date
If you are at least 60 years old or receive a Social Security or pension check, or if you receive disability assistance, we can extend your payment due date. In order to be eligible for this option, your account must be current and remain current or the option may be removed from your account.
Contact: Ohio Edison - Email or call 800-633-4766 -
Payment Arrangements
Payment Arrangements
If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange affordable installments to be paid with your monthly bill. Payment arrangements help maintain your electric service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation.
To Apply:- Log in to your account or register online to see if you are eligible for an installment plan or
- Contact Ohio Edison via Email or call 800-633-4766
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Third-Party Notification
Third-Party Notification
Select a third party (a friend, relative, clergy, or social service agency) to be notified, along with yourself, if your electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay overdue bills but can remind you of pending disconnection and help you make payment arrangements.
Contact: Ohio Edison - Email or call 800-633-4766 -
Military Deferred Payment Program
Military Deferred Payment Program
This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all or a part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine payment arrangements for the balance owed.
Customers who have switched to an alternative generation supplier may defer the charges paid to their supplier only if that supplier offers a deferred payment program. If your supplier does not offer a deferred payment program, the supplier charges must be paid each month.
Contact: Ohio Edison - Email or call 800-633-4766 -
$175 Winter Option
$175 Winter Option
This is offered only during the winter months for a residential customer to pay the entire past-due balance or $175, whichever is less. If the customer has defaulted on an extended payment plan this is the option to pay the catch-up balance or $175, whichever is less. The $175 Winter Option is offered to a customer one time only during the winter season.
Contact us at 1-800-633-4766 for more information.
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Critical Care Program
Critical Care Program
The Critical Care Program identifies customers who use certain electrically operated life sustaining medical equipment in their home. The program helps customers - for whom a service interruption could be immediately life threatening or would make operation of necessary medical or life supporting equipment impossible or impractical - prepare for planned and unplanned power outages. Please call us if someone in your home uses this type of medical equipment.
Contact: Ohio Edison - Email or call 800-633-4766
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Medical Certification
Medical Certification
Customers with severe health problems may have a licensed physician certify in writing that a termination of electric service would be especially dangerous. The medical certification will postpone the termination of electric service for 30 days. The certification is designed to provide the customer with additional time to pay their past-due balance. The customer is still responsible for the past-due amount and will be given the opportunity to pay the balance in monthly installments.
Contact:
If you or a member of your household have a qualifying medical condition, we have made it easier for your doctor to submit the medical certificates to us by automating the forms online. Please email us or call Customer Service at 800-633-4766 for details on the information your doctor will need to complete the medical form.
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