Fuel Funds

Utility-provided Assistance Programs (Fuel Funds)

Fuel Funds*Disclaimer: This information is provided as a guide to resources. Customers should be advised that all funds listed are subject to availability. Funds may run out before the end of the program term. Please contact the fund administrators for fund availability.

Utility customers can receive help paying their electric or natural gas bills from their utility company. These payment programs are known as fuel funds, and they offer payment arrangements to low-income customers.

Fuel funds are supported by customer donations, matching funds from the utility or the utility’s shareholders. In order to receive fuel funds, customers must meet specific eligibility requirements. Income-eligibility guidelines vary from program to program. The chart below has the current federal poverty guidelines.

To apply for these fuel fund programs, contact your utility, the non-profit organization or the local community action agency running the program. Be prepared to verify your income to apply. Please note that these funds are subject to availability, and funds may run out before the end of the program term.

Some programs also require disconnection status, which is when a customer has either received a disconnection notice or has already been disconnected from their utility service.

Before applying for fuel funds, apply for HEAP and all other utility assistance programs offered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). The utility assistance application is available at their website, www.development.ohio.gov, or at your community action agency office.

ELECTRIC

American Electric Power (Ohio Power, Columbus Southern Power)

Ohio Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program

  • Contact: AEP at 1-800-672-2231 or www.AEPOhio.com/helpaneighbor; or Dollar Energy Fund Inc. at 1-800-683-7036 or www.dollarenergy.org.
  • Benefit: Grants vary based on need, and customers may receive only one grant per year. Maximum is $250.
  • Eligibility: At or below 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Availability: Cooling assistance: July 1-September 30; heating assistance: December 1-April 30. 

AEP customers whose income is between 176-200% of the federal poverty level can also apply for the Crisis Response Fund. Customers are encouraged to call AEP at (800) 672-2231, or contacting their local Community Action Agency at (614) 224-8500 or at oacaa.org.

AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light)

Gift of Power

  • Contact: The Dayton Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or AES Ohio at 1-800-433-8500 after the program begins in January.
  • Benefit: Based on need and disconnection notice (does not necessarily follow poverty guidelines).
  • Eligibility: Customers with a disconnection notice or a past due account balance.
  • Availability: Winter heating season. https://www.dpandl.com/customer-service/account-center/payment-assistan…

FirstEnergy (Cleveland Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison)

Ohio Fuel Fund

  • Contact: ODOD at 1-800-848-1300 or your local Community Action Agency. Find your local agency by calling 614-224-8500 or at www.oacaa.org. You can also contact First Energy at 1-800-589-3101 (Cleveland Illuminating Co.); 1-800-633-4766, (Ohio Edison); 1-800-447-3333, (Toledo Edison).
  • Benefit: Up to $300. If you qualify because of a hardship, you may receive up to $500.
  • Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Applicants must have an active account with a balance past due. Applicants must have made a payment within the last 90 days.
  • Availability: Year round, or until funds run out. Apply early in the year to ensure funds are available. www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/help/billingpayments/assistanc…

NATURAL GAS

Columbia Gas of Ohio

Columbia Fuel Fund

  • Contact: Columbia at 1-800-344-4077 or your Community Action Agency. Find your local agency by calling
  • 614-224-8500 or at www.oacaa.org.
  • Benefit: Up to $250 per heating season.
  • Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Available: Winter heating season.

HeatShare

  • Contact: Columbia at 1-800-344-4077 or your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769.
  • Benefit: Up to $250 once per year.
  • Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Available: Mid-January to Mid-April or until funds run out.

Dominion East Ohio

EnergyShare

  • Contact: Your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or Dominion at 1-800-362-7557.
  • Benefit: Up to $500 for heating bills and up to $250 for deposits.
  • Eligibility: Household earnings at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Disconnection status required, except for seniors age 60 and older. Head of household must be unemployed or have a demonstrated personal or family crisis.
  • Available: For heating assistance mid-January to August 31, or until funds run out.

Duke Energy Ohio

HeatShare

  • Contact: Your local Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or Duke at 1-800-544-6900 after the program begins in mid-January. HeatShare hotline: (513) 762-8622.
  • Benefit: One-time assistance payment of $300.
  • Eligibility: Based on need (does not necessarily follow poverty guidelines). Disconnection status required. PIPP Plus customers are not eligible unless funds are available after March 31st.
  • Available: Mid-January through July 31 or until funds run out.

 

2021 Income Guidelines

Size of household*

Total Gross Annual Household Income

135%

150%

175%

200%

250%

1

$17,388

$19,320

$22,540

$25,760

$32,200

2

$23,517

$26,130

$30,485

$34,840

$43,550

3

$29,646

$32,940

$38,430

$43,920

$54,900

4

$35,775

$39,750

$46,375

$53,000

$66,250

5

$41,904

$46,560

$54,320

$62,080

$77,600

6

$48,033

$53,370

$62,265

$71,160

$88,950

7

$54,162

$60,180

$70,210

$80,240

$100,300

8

$60,291

$66,990

$78,155

$89,320

$111,650

* For families/households with more than 8 persons, please contact your local community action agency.

 

 

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