When your electric bills start piling up and you receive a shut-off notice, it can be scary and overwhelming, whether it’s during the cold winter months or the heat of the summer. Thankfully, there are several programs available to Akronites who need help covering their electric bills.

Navigating these programs isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve never applied before. They often have specific eligibility requirements and require you to submit documentation.

To help you through the process, this guide will break down the electric bill assistance programs available to Akron and Summit County residents, including program qualifications and how to apply. 

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

What is it? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) assists Ohioans who need help managing and paying their home energy bills. The program, which is federally funded and administered by the Ohio Department of Development, provides a one-time payment for gas or electric bills from public utilities.

Who qualifies? To qualify for HEAP, you must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines. The program is open to both renters and homeowners. To see if you qualify, check out the Ohio Public Utilities Commission website, which provides a breakdown of income levels and household sizes. 

When applying, you must report your total gross (pre-tax) household income for at least the last 30 days — although the last 12 months is preferred. Wage and salary income earned by any dependent minors is exempt from household income. So, for instance, a 16-year-old’s wages from a fast-food restaurant would not need to be included.

How to apply: If you meet the eligibility requirements and want to apply for HEAP assistance, you can complete an online application here. However, the online application must be completed on a computer, as it’s not currently accessible on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can use one at any Akron-Summit County Public Library branch.

You can also apply in person or over the phone by making an appointment with your local energy assistance provider, during which you’ll complete an Energy Assistance application. You can find your local energy assistance provider here. For example, Summit County residents should contact Akron Summit Community Action.

You can also mail your application and required documents to:

Energy Assistance Programs
P.O. Box 1240
Columbus, OH 43216

To mail an application, you can download and print a form from here in either English or Spanish. You can also find applications at your local energy assistance provider, local libraries, county departments of Job and Family Services and Area Agencies on Aging.

There is a 12-week processing time for both online and mailed applications. To avoid delays, make sure you sign the application.  

What documents do you need? To apply for HEAP, you must complete an application for the program and provide several documents, including:

  • Proof of income for each household member. This includes Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, Social Security, pension, alimony, self-employment wages and unemployment.
  • Copies of your most recent utility bills.
  • A list of all current household members, including their birth dates and Social Security numbers. You’ll also need proof of legal residency/U.S. citizenship for each household member. Acceptable proof includes a copy of a Social Security card, birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization paper or certificate of citizenship, permanent visa or an insurance ID card. 

HEAP Summer Crisis Program

What is it? HEAP also has two season-specific utility assistance programs, one for winter and one for summer. The Winter Crisis Program is primarily for heating assistance, while the Summer Crisis Program is for cooling assistance, helping eligible Ohioans manage electric utility bills and central air conditioning unit repairs and purchases. 

The Summer Crisis Program runs from July 1 to Sept. 30 and provides eligible Ohioans with a one-time benefit to cover cooling costs during the summer. Along with assisting with electric bills, the program also helps with central-air-conditioning repairs and purchasing air conditioning units and/or fans.

Who qualifies for the program? To qualify, you must have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line and have a household member who also meets one of the following criteria:

  • 60 years of age or older.
  • Can provide documentation from a physician that proves cooling assistance is needed for their health.
  • Have received a disconnect notice, have had electricity shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service.
  • Have enrolled in a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) or PIPP Plus for the first time, or have PIPP in default.

How to apply: To apply for the Summer Crisis Program, you can start your application online using a computer, not a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. You will need to make an appointment with your local energy assistance provider to finish the application. 

You can start your online application here. To schedule an appointment, find your local energy assistance provider on the Ohio Department of Development’s website.

You can also apply via mail by sending your application and required documents to:

Energy Assistance Programs
P.O. Box 1240
Columbus, OH 43216

To mail an application, you can download and print one from here in either English or Spanish. You can also find applications at your local energy assistance provider, local libraries, county departments of Job and Family Services and Area Agencies on Aging.

There is a 12-week processing time for both online and mailed applications. To avoid delays in the application process, make sure you sign the application.  

What documents do you need? Along with a completed application, you must submit copies of the following documents: 

  • Most recent utility bills.
  • A list of all current household members, including their birth dates and Social Security numbers. You’ll also need proof of legal residency/U.S. citizenship for each household member. Acceptable proof of this includes a Social Security card, birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization paper or certificate of citizenship, permanent visa or insurance ID card. 
  • Proof of income for each household member over age 18 from at least the past 30 days. This includes Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, Social Security, pension, alimony, self-employment wages and unemployment.
  • Proof of disability if applicable.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

What is it? The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIPP Plus) helps eligible Ohioans manage their monthly utility bills year-round. Payment assistance is provided based on a percentage of your household income and is available to customers of regulated gas and electric companies in the state. You can find a list of regulated utility companies on the Ohio Public Utilities Commission website.

With PIPP, your monthly payment will be $10 or 5% of your gross monthly household income each month, whichever is greater. What’s more, when a PIPP household pays their monthly payment on time and in full, some of their old utility bill debt and the rest of that month’s bill will go away in the form of a credit on their utility account.

Who qualifies for the program? To qualify for PIPP, households must have a gross yearly income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line. For a breakdown of household income qualifications for 2023-2024, check the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) website. 

How to apply:  Like with most energy assistance programs, you can apply online by accessing the application here via a computer. You can also apply by contacting and setting up an appointment with your local energy assistance provider. Applications for PIPP are open year-round.

You can also apply via mail by sending your application and required documents to:

Energy Assistance Programs
P.O. Box 1240
Columbus, OH 43216

Local organizations such as Community Action Akron Summit will work to enroll and re-verify both gas and electric utility customers in PIPP.

What documents do you need? Like most energy assistance programs, when applying, you’ll also need to provide:

  • A valid photo ID. 
  • A list of all household members. 
  • Copies of your most recent utility bills.
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members over the age of 18. Some forms of income may require 12 months of proof, so be sure to check with your local energy assistance provider before your appointment or to submit the application. 

Acceptable forms of income proof and household member identification for PIPP are the same as for energy assistance programs such as HEAP. 

Special reconnect order

What is it? Special reconnect orders allow customers who have fallen behind on payments, are disconnected from natural gas or electric utilities, or are threatened with disconnection to pay a maximum fee of $175 and — if applicable — a reconnection fee of no more than $36 to have their utility service reconnected or maintained. The PUCO issues these orders on an annual basis.

A special reconnect order can be used once during the winter heating season, typically from mid-October to April 15.

Who qualifies? Anyone who receives service from a regulated utility company qualifies for a special reconnect order, regardless of household income. If you have multiple residential accounts, you can only use the special reconnect order at your primary residence.

All regulated gas companies in the state must comply with the special reconnect order and can guide applicants through the process and answer any questions. For a full list of regulated utility companies in the state, check the PUCO website, where you can search by utility, industry or company name.

How to apply: There isn’t an application process required for a special reconnect order as other energy assistance programs call for. All you have to do is contact your utility company and mention the special reconnect order.

Medical certificates

What are the? PUCO-regulated utility companies can’t disconnect you from utility services like electricity under certain conditions, such as you or a household member having a medical condition that could make it dangerous to go without utility services. 

Medical certificates can be used to prevent disconnection or to reconnect service if you’ve been disconnected for less than 21 days. The certificate is good for 30 days and can be used up to three times in 12 months.

Medical certificates postpone disconnection, but customers are still required to pay for their utility services. This means you’ll have to enter a payment plan such as PIPP or contact your utility company to establish a payment plan.

Who qualifies for the program? To qualify, you must be a customer of a PUCO-regulated utility company. To determine whether your company offers medical certificates, check the list of regulated companies here. 

There are no income requirements associated with medical certificates. In terms of what medical conditions qualify, that is solely up to a medical professional.

How to apply: The application form can be downloaded from the PUCO website. The form must be completed and returned to the utility company by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife or local board of health physician. 

If the utility company receives a completed form before 3:30 p.m., service will be restored the same day. If the form is received after 3:30 p.m., service will be restored as early as possible the next business day. If it’s submitted after 3:30 p.m. on a day that doesn’t have a business day after it (such as Friday), the utility company will work to restore service by the end of the day.

United Way 2-1-1 Help Hotline

What is it? The United Way of Summit and Medina counties has a 2-1-1 helpline that connects residents with help when they need it whether they’re struggling with food insecurity, housing, mental health or even paying their utilities. 

When you call the 2-1-1 helpline, you’ll be connected with a trained member of your community who can help direct you to the services you need. The goal is to break down barriers that historically prevented people from either seeking or receiving assistance, making it easier for anyone who needs it to call and get help. 

For utility assistance, representatives at the 2-1-1 call center can connect you with electric service payment assistance, including special programs for veterans or people with cancer or AIDS/HIV who can’t afford their electric bill. They can also help you apply for PIPP, utility disconnection programs through medical certificates or special reconnect orders and home weatherization programs.

Who qualifies for the program? Anyone in Summit or Medina counties who needs assistance can call the 2-1-1 helpline to get connected with various resources. Keep in mind, though, that if you call the 2-1-1 helpline for utility assistance and want help applying to an assistance program like PIPP, you still need to meet the eligibility requirements for that program.

How to apply: To get help from United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline, you can start by going to the organization’s website, entering your city or ZIP code and then selecting a service category that’s available in your area to get connected to the right person or department. 

Or, you can dial 2-1-1 or 330-376-6660 to connect with a staff member 24/7. They will provide information on available resources and connect you with the right assistance. 

Akron Utility Bill Assistance Program (Akron Cares 2.0)

What is it? The City of Akron recently launched a new utility bill assistance program, Akron Cares 2.0, to help residents who are struggling to pay their utility bills. It is an ongoing, monthly assistance program for any eligible Akronite, both homeowners and tenants. 

Who qualifies? To qualify for the new program, you must have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line. Along with the income requirement, you also need to meet other eligibility requirements, including:

The city will use either the HEAP or PIPP letter of participation or verification of the Summit County Homestead Exemption program to determine your eligibility for Akron Cares 2.0.

How to apply: Applications open Jan. 1, 2024. Before you apply, you need to first determine your eligibility, and the way you do that will vary depending on whether you’re using HEAP/PIPP or the Summit County Homestead Exemption. You can find step-by-step instructions for each on the City of Akron’s website.

Once your HEAP, PIPP or Homestead Exemption is confirmed, you can fill out the application — so long as it’s after the Jan. 1 opening date. When applications open, they’ll become available on the City of Akron’s website.

The application can then be returned by email or fax:

You can also mail your application to the Akron Utilities Business Office at:

1180 South Main St. Suite 110
Akron, OH 44301

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)

What is it? The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is a federally funded program available to low-income Ohioans. HWAP provides services such as home insulation, heating system repairs and replacements and air-leakage reduction to reduce home-energy use and make housing more affordable.

Services are provided based on an on-site energy audit and cost-effective guidelines for energy use determined by the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT). Along with providing services, HWAP also works to educate consumers on best practices for energy use and efficiency.

Who qualifies for the program? Ohioans at or below 200% of the federal poverty line are eligible for HWAP, though priority is given to the following residents:

  • Ohioans over the age of 60.
  • Residents with disabilities.
  • Households with children.
  • Households with high energy usage or high energy burdens.

Households who have received assistance in the past 12 months from Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or HEAP are automatically income-eligible for HWAP.

How to apply: To apply, you should contact your HWAP provider. Providers vary depending on the county you live in. To find the right provider, you can refer to this map. For example, Summit County’s provider is the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development, which can be reached at 330-643-2537.

Electric Partnership Plan (EPP)

What is it? Similar to HWAP, the Electric Partnership Plan (EPP) helps eligible Ohioans reduce their home energy usage. EPP performs in-home audits to install energy-efficiency measures to reduce electricity consumption. EPP also provides information on how consumers can reduce their electricity usage and improve their home’s efficiency. 

Who qualifies for the program? You qualify for EPP if you are on or eligible for PIPP or have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

Other eligibility requirements include:

  • Have 12 months of electric usage at your current address.
  • Have an annual electric base load usage of at least 5,000 kWh.
  • Live in the service territory of one of these Ohio electric companies:
    • American Electric Power
    • Duke Energy
    • AES Ohio
    • FirstEnergy

How to apply: You should contact your local energy assistance provider to apply. You can find your provider on the Ohio Department of Development website. For example, Summit County’s provider is Akron/Canton Community Action, which can be reached at 330-436-0261.

Where else can you find help?

Several federal and state programs provide utility assistance to those in need, but if you don’t qualify or can’t apply for another reason, there are other avenues available for help, such as: