The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern and the Ohio Inc Ohio Department of Development want to remind older Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills during the winter months.
The Winter Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps assist low-income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with an elderly household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of up to seven members and 60 percent of State Median Income for a household of eight or more members to pay their heating bills. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment.
When applying, individuals need to have copies of the following documents:
* Most recent utility bills.
* A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers).
* Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types).
* Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
* Proof of disability (if applicable).
Older Ohioans can reach out to us, the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio Inc, at 419-382-0624 for help with assembling the required documents and completing their HEAP application.
They may also visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov<http://www.energyhelp.ohio.gov> to apply online or to download a copy of the application.
HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1.
Applications for the Winter HEAP program must be received by May 31, 2025.
To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider, call (800) 282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov<http://www.energyhelp.ohio.gov/>.