Ways to get assistance with winter heating costs

For households struggling to keep the heat on during the winter, several forms of help are available.

The state’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program begins offering one-time help with home heating bills for income-eligible Ohioans.

The program can assist Ohioans who face a utility shutoff, have already been disconnected, need to start new service or must pay to transfer service.

It also helps households that have 25% or less of bulk fuel remaining in their tanks so they can continue service.

To qualify, a household must have a gross annual income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that equals $57,750.

The program runs through the end of March 2027.

“If you are struggling with your energy bill, assistance may be available,” said Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. He said the program is available to families facing a shutoff or low fuel supply.

In the previous year, the program aided more than 73,000 Ohio households and delivered $25.5 million in benefits.

Ohioans can begin an application online, but they must make an appointment with a local energy assistance provider to finish the process.

Depending on the agency, appointments may be held in person or by phone. The application and a list of providers are available at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Applicants should bring copies of the following to their appointment:

• Their most recent energy bills
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability, if applicable

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio also issued a winter “special reconnect order” for customers served by PUCO-regulated utilities.

That order helps Ohioans reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service during the winter heating season.

Under the PUCO order, customers must pay their utility no more than $175 plus any reconnection charge, which cannot exceed $36. If the reconnection charge is higher than $36, the amount above $36 may be added to the customer’s next monthly bill.