Energy and Utility Bill Help in Ohio.
Ohio's major utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and state and federal programs all may offer assistance to residents struggling to pay electric, gas, or heating bills. The programs, listed below by utility company including from AES and Duke Energy, range from payment plans to charitable grants, government options like PIPP and others. While some utility assistance programs are seasonal others in Ohio are available year round.
Utility Company Assistance Programs
AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light) serves west-central Ohio. The Gift of Power program helps customers who don't qualify for HEAP or PIPP Plus, administered by the Salvation Army Dayton Kroc Center (937-528-5120). Payment plans, PIPP Plus enrollment, and a third-party notification option for customers with medical needs are also available. Some struggling customers may also be able to get an extension agreement / payment plan. Call (800) 433-8500. Or find additional AES Ohio assistance programs.
AEP Ohio offers the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, providing grants applied directly to customers' bills to help low-income customers maintain or restore electric service. Apply online through Dollar Energy Fund or call 1-800-672-2231 for Neighbor to Neighbor, or 1-800-277-2177 for general customer service. Get more information on assistance programs from AEP.
CenterPoint Energy (formerly Vectren) serves west-central Ohio. The TEEM program (Teaching Energy Efficiency Measures) provides free insulation, furnace replacement, air sealing, and other upgrades to qualifying income-eligible households through Community Action Partnership of Greater Dayton. The community action organization may also help people explore other emergency options, whether a grant, crisis HEAP funds and other resources. Call 1-800-227-1376 or 1-800-617-2673. Get more details on CenterPoint Energy Ohio assistance programs.
Duke Energy Ohio serves southwest Ohio. HeatShare (Salvation Army, once per year) and the Share the Light Fund (one-time past-due assistance) both help customers at risk of disconnection — call the HeatShare hotline at 513-762-5636 to apply for either. Duke also offers reduced rates for qualifying low-income customers, weatherization through People Working Cooperatively, payment extensions, and PIPP Plus enrollment. Read more about assistance programs from Duke Energy.
Enbridge Gas Ohio (formerly Columbia Gas of Ohio and Dominion Energy Ohio) is Ohio's primary natural gas utility, serving over 1.2 million customers statewide. Programs include the Heat Care Program (emergency hardship assistance), HeatShare (Salvation Army, call 1-800-725-2769), the Dollar Energy Fund Ohio Utility Assistance Program, PIPP Plus, weatherization, and the Special Reconnect Order. Call Enbridge Gas Ohio at 1-800-362-7557 or dial 2-1-1 to reach a local agency. Or read more about Enbridge Gas assistance programs.
Firelands Electric Cooperative offers Operation Round Up grants for energy costs and home repairs to members in its service territory. Call 419-929-1571 or 1-800-533-8658.
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative runs Operation Helping Others, funded by voluntary member donations. Grants go to community needs such as fire departments, food banks, school programs, and individuals with large medical expenses — this program does not pay utility bills. For electric bill help, ask about HEAP referrals or call 2-1-1. Office: 740-826-7661 or 1-800-521-9879.
The Illuminating Company (FirstEnergy) offers HEAP referrals, the Salvation Army-administered CO-OP program, and payment extensions and installment plans for customers behind on bills. Get more details on Illuminating Company assistance programs. The main customer service number is 1-800-589-3101.
Logan County Cooperative offers Operation Round Up grants for energy assistance and community needs to members with low incomes or special needs. While direct payment of utility bills is rare from the fund, it may help pay for needs such as a furnace repair, AC unit, and related costs. Call 937-592-4781.
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative operates the People Fund for members in hardship - elderly, disabled, unemployed, and working poor residents may be eligible. Call 440-647-2133.
North Central Electric Cooperative operates the People Fund for members with disabilities, low incomes, or other hardships who need help with energy bills. Call 419-426-3072.
Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy) offers Project Reach - once-a-year emergency bill help for unemployed, disabled, or low-income customers at risk of losing service, determined and administered by the local Salvation Army. Call 1-800-633-4766. In some cases the customer service team may offer payment extensions. More details on assistance programs from Ohio Gas.
Ohio Gas and Suburban Natural Gas customers can access PIPP Plus, HEAP, and payment plans. More details on assistance programs from Ohio Gas.
Toledo Edison (FirstEnergy) offers Neighbors Helping Neighbors — once-a-year emergency bill help for disabled, unemployed, or low-income customers facing disconnection, administered by the Salvation Army (Toledo: 419-241-3549). Payment plans and HEAP referrals are also available. Call (800) 447-3333. Learn about options for possible financial assistance from Toledo Edison.
Government Assistance Programs
Special Reconnect Order (SRO) - Available to all Ohio residents with no income requirement. A $175 payment restores or maintains heating or utility service for customers facing disconnection; usable once per heating season (mid-October through mid-April). Call (866) 244-0071.
PIPP Plus (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) caps monthly gas or electric payments at 6% of income for gas-heat customers (10% for all-electric), with arrearage credits that can eliminate a past-due balance after 24 on-time payments. Available statewide through all regulated utilities. Call 1-800-282-0880 or contact your local community action agency.
HEAP and Weatherization - Federally funded through LIHEAP, Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program provides a once-per-season benefit applied directly to the primary heating account. The Winter Crisis Program (November 1–March 31) and Summer Crisis Program (July 1–September 30, for seniors 60+ and medical-need households) offer emergency assistance. Free weatherization improves home energy efficiency for income-eligible households. Call 1-800-282-0880. Or get more information on Ohio free weatherization and HEAP..
- Ohio Energy Credit (OEC) Program provides an additional grant on top of HEAP for residents who are 65 or older and are totally and permanently disabled. Call 1-800-282-0880.
HeatShare - Salvation Army-administered heating bill assistance program available to Duke Energy and Enbridge Gas Ohio customers. The Salvation Army takes applications in local communities and disburses funds to people that qualify. Read more information on Ohio Heatshare.
Programs specifically heating bills are offered by most companies. Several state laws in Ohio, non-profit organizations, and resources are focused on paying heating bills and preventing disconnections during the winter months. Read more about dedicated heating bill help in Ohio.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel advocates for residential utility customers and can advise on disconnection rights, billing disputes, and available programs. Get more information on how Ohio Consumers’ Counsel services may help.
PUCO (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio) sets rules for regulated utilities and can refer customers to assistance programs. Call (800) 686-7826.
Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program — Provides grants, free energy conservation measures, and other support to customers of The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison. More information on the More details on the Ohio Fuel Grant program.
Community Forum
Readers can both share experiences and get tips on other options in the state. The forum, which is free to use and moderated, may help struggling households locate local charitable resources, one-off type utility company programs and so much more - look for that information on the Ohio utility assistance forum.
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