Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP was implemented during the great energy crisis of 1973 to provide a one-time utility payment to eligible households with disconnection or threat of disconnection to their home energy source.

Winter and summer HEAP programs provide financial assistance to eligible individuals whose connection to heating, air conditioning are threatened, and it is designed to help eligible low-income Lorain County Residents meet the high costs of home energy. If you would like more information on how to maintain your utility service click on the following link: Maintaining Your Utility Service.pdf.

Special Program: 2009 Columbia Gas Fuel Fund
March 2, 2009 - Until Funds are Expended

Get help with your Columbia Gas bill - up to $250 in assistance. This program helps households normally over-income for HEAP and PIPP. Specifically, it helps households between 175% of federal poverty levels up 200% of federal poverty levels. Read more: About the Program, Including Income Chart .

Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program

The Lorain County Community Action Agency administers E-HEAP county-wide during the winter and summer months. This program assists households whose primary source and/or secondary source of home energy is threatened with disconnection or who have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. Households who qualify are eligible to receive financial assistance to restore or continue their utility services.

Another advantage of applying for E-HEAP is that your regular HEAP application will be e-mailed to the Ohio Department of Development. The application will automatically credit your account with regular HEAP assistance.

2009-2010 Winter Crisis Program Information

The following information relates to the Winter Crisis Program ONLY!!!

The Lorain County Community Action Agency will be providing assistance on electric and/or gas to those who meet income guidelines. The Winter Crisis program begins November 1, 2009 and runs through March 31, 2010 or until funds are extinguished. Funding for the Winter Crisis Program comes through the Ohio Department of Development Office of Community Services. Eligible customers who are serviced by regulated utilities will be provided up to $175 of assistance.

Documents Needed for H.E.A.P. Appointments and Walk-In Clients:

• Proof of All income for the past 90 days
• Social Security cards for all members of the household and birth certificates (or any form of proof of citizenship)
• If services are turned off; copy of lease agreement, or proof of home ownership
• A copy of a recent gas and electric bill; or quote from bulk fuel vendor

Please note, a disconnection notice IS required to receive assistance. A reconnection fee may be required, along with the receipt of payment, before receiving assistance for a disconnected service. If property is a rental, a copy of the lease agreement is also required with the application.

WCP Eligibility Requirements:
Households whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the Winter Crisis Program. A household whose total income during the past 3 months is equal to or less than the following maximums may be eligible:

Households with more than 8 members should add $1,870.00 per member to the quarterly income. Households may qualify for benefits using the 12 month income test, if the past 3 months income is above the maximum.

How do you apply for WCP?
Applications must be completed at our local office. Income documentation must be presented at the time of application for all household members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old.

Applications for WCP will be accepted November 1 through March 31.

Location: LCCAA, 502 Broadway (Corner of 5th Street and Broadway) Lorain, OH 44052

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Agency will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25 for Christmas Day, Friday, January 1 for New Years Day, Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Day, and Monday, February 15 for President’s Day.

Please call (440) 204-3122 for more information about the H.E.A.P. Department.  

HEAP Income Guidelines

To be income-eligible a household must have total household income for the last 12 months or 90 days equal to or less than 175% of the federal poverty guidelines. Income guidelines representing the 175% calculations are revised annually. The period to be used in determining annual income must not be more than twelve months, or less than the ninety-day period preceding the request for assistance by the household.

The following chart displays income levels by household size and should be used to determine eligibility. Income guidelines listed below represent the 175% calculation for 2009 energy assistance programs and are revised annually.

NOTE: Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) eligibility remains at 150% of poverty.

For more information on HEAP guidelines please visit the Ohio Department of Development Website.

What is the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)?

PIPP is an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of the household income. As a part of the Universal Service Fund program enabled by Substitute Senate Bill 3, the Office of Community Services will administer the PIPP for electricity customers.

Under PIPP, if you heat with gas, you pay ten percent of your monthly household income to your gas company and five percent to your electric company. (If your monthly household income is at or below fifty (50%) percent of the Federal Poverty level, most PIPP customers will pay three percent instead of five percent for the secondary source of heat.) If your utility company provides both gas and electric, or if you heat with electricity, you pay fifteen (15%) percent of your monthly household income. LCCAA or the utility company will inform you of your PIPP amount.

The Office of Community Services (OCS), Ohio Department of Development is responsible for the reverifying incomes of the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) clients for regulated utilities. All PIPP customers must reverify their incomes annually with the exception of Zero-PIPP customers who must reverify their income every 90 days. By completing the Energy Assistance Application you can reverify your PIPP income, as well as apply for a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefit. Lorain County PIPP customers can also visit Lorain Community Action Agency at 502 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052 to reverify their income.

PIPP Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the PIPP program, a customer must receive his or her primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), must have a total household income which is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and must apply for all energy assistance programs for which he or she is eligible.

How do you apply for the PIPP?

When applying for an Emergency HEAP benefit, customers must also enroll in PIPP or another payment plan. The Combined Energy Assistance Application must be completed at LCCAA. The agency staff will forward the necessary information for PIPP enrollment for your main heating source and electric service, as appropriate.

Who is eligible?

• Your utility company must be regulated by the PUCO.
• You must apply for all energy assistance for which you are eligible.
• You must have a gross yearly household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level (see income eligibility chart below). If you are not eligible based on the 12-month “test,” you may qualify for PIPP based on your income for the most recent three months.

How do I sign up?

Contact your gas or electric company for specific details. The company may refer you to LCCAA to enroll in PIPP. Proof of your gross monthly household income for the last three months will be required. The first PIPP payment is usually due at the time you enroll.

What do I need to do to stay on PIPP?

• Make the required monthly payments
• Re-verify gross monthly household income a minimum of once every 12 months
• Zero-PIPP customers must reverify their income every 90 days
• Reapply for all available energy assistance programs at least every 12 months
• Apply for weatherization if you are contacted by a utility or state agency representative

When do I pay the PIPP amount or the current bill?

Electric Customers:

During the heating season, typically Nov. 1 through April 15, you pay the percentage of income payment. During the non-heating season, typically April 16 through Oct. 31, you pay your current bill or the PIPP amount, whichever is higher.

Gas Customers:

PIPP customers who use natural gas as the primary heating source will pay the 10 percent PIPP payment year-round.

What do I do if my service is disconnected for non-payment?

You would have to reapply for PIPP, pay any missed payments (default), and may have to pay a reconnection charge and/or a security deposit.

What if I want to discontinue PIPP?

You may request to be taken off the plan at any time. The company may require that this request be in writing. If you are no longer income eligible for PIPP, the company is required to place you on the Arrearage Crediting Program. You may find it convenient to remove yourself from PIPP prior to becoming income ineligible. In this instance, you will need to contact your utility company to make appropriate arrangements on the balance due.

PIPP Balanced Payment Plan (Electric Companies Only)

The PIPP Balanced Payment Plan is only offered by electric and combination utility companies. This plan provides an option of budgeting monthly electric bills so payments do not dramatically increase during the summer. The PIPP Balanced Payment Plan is based on winter PIPP payments and summer actual usage. Consult with your local utility company or Lorain County Community Action Agency representatives at the time you enroll in PIPP for more details.

Three Percent PIPP

If your household is at or below 50 percent of the federal poverty level and the household uses electricity as its secondary source of heat, your household would pay 3 percent instead of 5 percent in the winter heating season only.

Arrearage Crediting Programs

• Arrearage Crediting is available to PIPP customers who are no longer income eligible for PIPP. The Arrearage Crediting Program assists you with gradually paying off your total arrearage amount. Current and former PIPP customers should contact their local utility company for specific information on the rules and regulations of arrearage crediting.

For more information on the programs offered by Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) please visit their website.

In 2008, 3,890 Lorain County residents received some type of Home Energy Assistance.