Utility Assistance Programs
Cleveland residents with low-household incomes are encouraged to apply for utility assistance. Various options are available:
If you are a low-income household experiencing high-energy burdens, we encourage you to enroll in utility assistance programs to help manage energy costs.
To schedule an appointment or for application assistance, residents can do so online or call 216-350-8008:
CHN Housing Partners (prompt 1)
Online: https://chn.itfrontdesk.com/apptonline/landing.html?client_code=CHNHOUSEStep Forward (prompt 2)
Online: https://stepforward.itfrontdesk.com/apptonline/landing.html?client_code=STEPFRWD
HEAP Summer Crisis Program
The Summer Crisis Program is an assistance program that provides cooling and electric utility assistance during the summer months. Applications are open from July 1 through September 30. To apply for the Summer Crisis Program, an appointment is required. You must meet one of the following criteria:
Have a household member who is 60 years of age or older; or
Have a household member who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for health reasons; or
Have a disconnect notice, services have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service; or
Be enrolling in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) for the first time or have a PIPP default.
PIPP - Percentage of Income Payment Plan
Enroll in PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan).
This program helps Ohioans afford utility bills through income-based subsidies. Applications are accepted year-round and can be submitted online — no appointment is required.
Please note that PIPP applications can take up to 12–13 weeks to process.
HEAP - Home Energy Assistance Program
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that provides a one-time payment to low-income households to help cover home heating and cooling costs.
HEAP benefits can be combined with PIPP benefits. Applications are accepted from July 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, and can be submitted online — no appointment is required.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Consumer Utility Assistance
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) offers fact sheets about assistance programs and disconnection protections for utility services.
Some programs provide a one-time credit toward a utility bill while others may help reduce monthly bills, establish a payment plan, or weatherize the home to make it more energy efficient. As some assistance may be based on household income, it helps to check income eligibility before applying.
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PUCO Utility Assistance Programs
There are many assistance programs that are available to residential customers when it comes to their electric and natural gas bills. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) outlines a few of the options that customers can utilize for any assistance needs.