Winter Crisis Program

SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS

Or print out an application and return it to CAA or CAA's dropbox with copies of the required documents. 

Schedule an appointment at CAA by calling:

Our phone lines are open Monday thru Thursday 9am –11am to receive an appointment between 1:30 -3:45pm.

From November 1, 2024 - March 31, 2026, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

The Winter Crisis Program is designed to provide qualifying households a one-time benefit during the winter months to help with reconnecting or stopping disconnection of utility service, transferring services, or obtaining new service. The program offers up to $175 towards households’ utility service. Funding is also available for households with bulk fuel usage. Applicants wishing to apply for bulk fuel must have 25% or less fuel capacity and have an established account in their name at the time of application.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants applying for Winter Crisis program must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, reside in Hamilton County and provide required documents.

POVERTY GUIDELINES              

Family size of person(s) in household income must be at, but not exceed:  

2025 Income Guidelines

Documentation needed to apply for services:

(All documentation is required each time you apply for services)

• Valid Picture ID for Applicant (Includes all individuals listed on utility bill and those applying on applicant’s behalf. (Current notarized letters are also required for individuals’ applying on applicant’s behalf).
• Current Duke Energy Utility Bill (actual bill only, no door hangers.
• Social Security Cards for all household members. (Must have the actual card or printout). Additional documentation will be required for proof of U.S. Citizenship if missing actual social security cards.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship for all household members- Birth Certificate, Baptismal records (must show place and date), U. S. Passport, Voter registration card, Military Service Record, Verified Citizenship for OWF Program, Indian Census Record.
• Proof of Legal Resident/Qualified Alien- Naturalization Papers/ Certification of Citizenship, INS ID Card, Alien Registration Cards/ Reentry permits, Permanent Visa, INS Form.
• Proof of Income for the entire household for the past 30 days for all income types, except Self-employment and Seasonal income. Self-employed and seasonal households must provide 12 months of documents.
• Reporting Zero income: If another person or organization is financially supporting you, please provide a statement from income source detailing how your bills are paid (rent, food, utility etc.). Also, please specify any cash amount(s) and the frequency of assistance. Statement must include providers’ name, address and phone number. If applicable, you must provide a current Subsidized housing HAP Contract Cover Letter/ Annual Lease Addendum, Rental Lease and Food Stamp printout. Please know that further documentation may be requested, such as “Wage and Income Transcript for all household members for all household member over 18 years of age.
• Please know that further documentation may be requested such as (IRS Transcript) and others.

Examples of Accepted Income

Please note: This is only an example of typical income sources and is not inclusive of all income documentation that may be required. If you have questions about your income documentation, ask to see a HEAP staff member prior to being seen for services.

Employment Wages: Last (2) check stubs for monthly wages. Last (3) check stubs for bi-weekly wages. Last (5) check stubs for weekly wages or Employment Verification Form from employers showing GROSS income for the last 30 days.

TANF, DA: Current Award Letter 

Utility Allowances: Subsidized Housing HAP Contract Cover Letter/ Annual Lease Addendum 

Social Security, SSI & SSDI: Current Award Letter 

Pension, Veterans, Retirement: Current Award Letter 

Unemployment, Employment Disability, Workers Compensation, Child Support: Last (2) stubs if paid monthly. Last (3) stubs if paid bi-weekly. Last (5) stubs if paid weekly or Award Letter showing benefit amount and time period.

Self-employment: Self-employment form for the past 12 months and complete prior year IRS 1040 including all schedules that were submitted to the IRS.

Seasonal Worker: past 12 months’ income from the date of the application.

Must have all the requested documentation for service. Other qualifications may apply.

OTHER DISCLOSURES

PLEASE NOTE: If you are applying on an applicant's behalf, a notarized statement or power of attorney statement must be presented at that time. 

Customers must bring the following items to their appointment: 

• Proof of income (copies of pay stubs, award letters, etc.)
• Copies of their most recent energy bills
• Photo ID
• A list of all household members with Social Security cards and birth dates
• All customers MUST have a printed copy of your Duke Energy bill in hand 
• Proof of U.S. citizenship/legal residency for all household members

PLEASE NOTE: One of the following documents will be needed for Proof of U.S. Citizenship:

• Birth Certificate/Hospital Birth Records
• Baptismal Records (only when place and date of birth is shown)
• Native American Census Record
• Military Service Record
• U.S. Passport
• Verified Citizenship for OWF Program
• Voter Registration Cards

PLEASE NOTE: If you are reporting zero income, the following rules apply:

• Applicant must provide written statement from income source detailing how your bills are paid (rent, food, utility etc.). 
• Specify any cash amount(s) and the frequency of assistance.
• If applicable, customer must provide current HUD contract, Section 8 contract, Rental Lease and Food Stamp printout. 
• Please know that further documentation maybe requested, such as Wage and Income Transcript for all household members over 18 years of age.