If household income is at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines and you're responsible for paying your household's heating costs, you might be eligible for financial assistance through HEAP. Applications are accepted usually between September 1 and March 31. Application forms are also available at local Community Action Agencies, Area Agencies on Aging, County Department of Job and Family Services, and local libraries. Proof of income for the past 12 months is required as well as a copy of a recent utility bill along with your signed application. For more information or to apply, contact your local Community Action Agency or the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880.

The Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP) program provides a one-time credit up to $175 each heating season to qualified, low-income customers to maintain or restore gas service. In certain cases, E-HEAP can also be used for heating system repairs. The application period for E-HEAP is November 1 through March 31. Applications must be completed at a Community Action Agency. Customers are required to sign up for one of the payment plans mandated by the State of Ohio to receive emergency benefits.

WarmChoice is a weatherization program for eligible, low-income Columbia Gas of Ohio customers. The program includes a home inspection and may provide insulation, air sealing and repair or replacement of heating equipment. The program can reduce customer gas use by an average of 28%. Columbia Gas of Ohio's network of community-based providers serves more than 1,500 WarmChoice eligible customers each year. To qualify for the program, participants must be Columbia Gas of Ohio customers, use natural gas as their primary heating source, and be eligible for the PIPP Plus program or have an income of 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines. To learn more about how to apply for WarmChoice, call 1-800-952-3037.
Services: Gas Company; Utility Companies;
Agency: Columbia Gas