Utility Help Becomes Energy Services

posted 4/1/21 -- The State of Ohio has made it easier to apply for non-emergency energy assistance online. Lorain County residents do not need an appointment at LCCAA to apply for an annual HEAP benefit, to apply for PIPP Plus or to reverify their income for PIPP Plus.

To help residents navigate these systems, LCCAA has published “A Guide to Applying for LCCAA Energy Services.”

The booklet is being mailed to all current clients of the Energy Services Department and is also available on www.lccaa.net.

Local appointments at LCCAA, currently conducted by phone due to COVID-19, are reserved for emergency services: winter crisis, summer crisis and service transfers.

To apply for regular services, residents must go to energyhelp.ohio.gov. To create a free account, all you need is a valid email address. Your account can be used as long as and as often as you need it.

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead. Online applications can take up to eight weeks to process. Applications can be tracked at energyhelp.ohio.gov. Applications can also be printed and mailed; however, those applications take up to 12 weeks to process and cannot be tracked.

“It’s particularly important for PIPP customers to plan ahead,” said Bobby Taylor, Planning and Community Services Director. “PIPP customers need to reverify their income once each year by a date that is unique to them. It is as simple as ‘know your date and apply to the state.’”

Emergency services do require a local appointment and appointments at LCCAA are reserved for those situations. Appointments can be made at app.capappointments.com.