Ohio Utility Assistance Program

The Ohio Utility Assistance Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, provides assistance to eligible customers of select utility companies in Ohio. Customers may be eligible to receive a grant that is applied directly to their bill. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

Participating Utilities:

• Duke Energy
• FirstEnergy
• Enbridge Gas
• AEP Ohio
• Columbia Gas of Ohio
• AES Ohio
• CenterPoint Energy

Program Dates

Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for service that is 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 previous 90 days.

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 $300 per utility ($600 maximum if a grant is received for both gas and electric service).

Applicants can only receive one grant per utility every 12 months.

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 must be between 175% +$1 and 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.