The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist Hamilton County residents with their utility bills.
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
helps eligible households maintain gas and electric services by paying a percentage of their household income. Individuals may apply at CAA or pick up an application at the agency or your local library and mail it to the Ohio Office of Community Services.
Beginning November 1, 2010, PIPP will become "PIPP Plus," making monthly payments more affordable on a year-round basis, while eliminating utility debt.
If the monthly PIPP Plus payments are made on-time and in-full, some of the customers old debt and the rest of that month's bill will go away in the form of credits on their utility account.
PIPP Plus makes monthly payments more affordable on a year-round basis.
Customers could be free of old utility debt at the end of two years.
Eligibility
To be eligible, families must reside in Hamilton County and earn a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
For more information on the new rules, download the flyer or visit the website of the Ohio Department of Development. A short video is also available in English or Spanish.
If you live outside of Hamilton County, please visit your local Community Action Agency for more information on PIPP Plus.
Emergency HEAP
provides assistance to eligible households that have been disconnected, have received a disconnection notice, have less than a 25% supply of bulk fuel, or are in need of transferring service or starting new services. Emergency HEAP begins November 1, 2010 and ends March 31, 2011.
Eligibility
To be eligible, families must reside in Hamilton County and earn a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Regular HEAP
is designed to help eligible low- to moderate-income Hamilton County residents meet the high costs of home heating. Individuals may apply at CAA or pick up an application at the agency or your local library and mail it to theOhio Office of Community Services. Regular HEAP runs from August 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011.
Eligibility
To be eligible, families must reside in Hamilton County and earn a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The Summer Crisis Program
provides a fan, air conditioner, and/or utility assistance (up to $175) to qualified applicants. The program runs July 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011 (or until funds/products are exhausted).
Eligibility
Applicants 60 years of age and older with the utility bill in his/her name may apply without physician documentation.
Applicants under the age of 60 with the utility bill in his/her name and a household member that is over the age of 60 may apply without physician documentation. A valid picture ID for the household member over the age of 60 that shows the address listed on the utility bill must be presented when applying.
Applicants under the age of 60 with a household member suffering from an illness that would benefit from assistance need verified documentation from a physician or licensed nurse practitioner. Documentation must appear on physician letterhead or prescription pad and must be dated within 30 days of applying.
All applicants must reside in Hamilton County and earn a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
