Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Hardship Program

The Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Hardship Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, provides eligible customers with a utility assistance grant applied directly to their Northeast Ohio Natural Gas bill. This grant helps limited-income customers maintain or restore their basic electric service. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

Program Dates

Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for services that are off or in threat of termination.

Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.

Sincere Effort of Payment

Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their account in the past three months.

Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $75 on their accounts.

Balance Requirement

Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.

Maximum Grant

The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.

Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)

Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.

If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.

Additional Guidelines

Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.

Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.

All applicants must provide verification of income.

Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.

Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.

Income Guidelines

Total gross household income for customers of all other utility companies must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.