Ohio Winter Heating Aid Opens: HEAP Winter Crisis Program Runs Through March 31, 2027, With a 175 Percent Income Limit
Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program opened on November 2 and runs through March 31, 2027. The federally funded program, also known as Emergency HEAP, provides financial assistance once per winter heating season to income-eligible households; both homeowners and renters may be eligible.
Eligible situations include having been disconnected, having a shut-off notice, needing to establish new service, needing to pay to transfer service, or having 25 percent or less of a bulk fuel supply remaining. Assistance can be used for electric and natural gas bills, bulk fuel supply, propane or fuel tank replacement and testing, and heating unit repair or replacement.
On income, total household income must be at or below 175 percent of the federal income guidelines for households of up to seven people, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for households of eight or more. Under the 2026-2027 guidelines, the 12-month limit for a family of four is $57,750 (a 30-day limit of $4,746.58), and $27,930 for a one-person household. The utility bill must be in the name of an adult household member, and income is based on the last 30 days or the previous 12 months.
Maximum benefits vary by supplier: $175 for customers of PUCO-regulated electric and natural gas utilities, $750 for customers of non-regulated municipal utilities or cooperatives, up to $1,200 for bulk fuel such as kerosene, propane and fuel oil ($650 for wood or coal), and up to $1,500 separately for heating unit repair or replacement.
The application may be started online at energyhelp.ohio.gov, but customers must complete it through an appointment, in person or remote, with their local Energy Assistance Provider or Community Action Agency. Once an appointment is made, PUCO-regulated utilities must delay disconnection for 30 days; the delay may be used once per year.
(Source: Ohio Department of Development)
Source: Ohio Department of Development
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 丙烷储罐（资料图）。Carl Young 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Propane storage tanks (file photo). Photo by Carl Young, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
