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.
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.
Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their account in the previous 90 days.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
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.
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.
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.
| Household Size | Monthly (households from 175% + $1 up to 250% Federal Poverty Level – FPL) | Yearly (households from 175% + $1 up to 250% Federal Poverty Level – FPL) |
| 1 | $2,197 to $3,138 | $26,356 to $37,650 |
| 2 | $2,982 to $4,258 | $35,771 to $51,100 |
| 3 | $3,766 to $5,379 | $45,186 to $64,550 |
| 4 | $4,551 to $6,500 | $54,601 to $78,000 |
| 5 | $5,336 to $7,621 | $64,016 to $91,450 |
| 6 | $6,120 to $8,742 | $73,431 to $104,900 |
| 7 | $6,905 to $9,863 | $82,846 to $118,350 |
| 8 | $7,689 to $10,983 | $92,261 to $131,800 |
| Each add’l add | $786 to $1,121 | $9,416 to $13,450 |
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.
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.
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.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
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.
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.
Total gross household income for customers of all other utility companies must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
| Household Size | 250% Monthly | 250% Yearly |
| 1 | $3,138 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $4,258 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $5,379 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $6,500 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $7,621 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $8,742 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $9,863 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $10,983 | $131,800 |
| Each add’l add | $1,121 | $13,450 |
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a federally funded program available to help eligible customers in Texas with their utility bills. The program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs. Eligible customers must apply for CEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program.
To be eligible for CEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for HEAP.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded grant program that helps income eligible households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer through a program that reduces the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practice. When the program is open, eligible customers must apply for LIHEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program.
To be eligible for LIHEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for LIHEAP.
Dollar Energy Fund’s Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to Valley Energy customers that are applied directly to their utility bill. Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and CRISIS before applying for the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program.
Applicants must have paid at least $100 on their accounts in the past three months. Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid at least $50 on their accounts.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have an outstanding balance of at least $50.
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.
Total gross household income must be at or below 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.
| Household Size | 250% Monthly | 250% Yearly |
| 1 | $3,138 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $4,258 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $5,379 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $6,500 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $7,621 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $8,742 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $9,863 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $10,983 | $131,800 |
| Each add’l add | $1,121 | $13,450 |
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) offers affordable payment plans for income eligible customers. CAP can help with long-term solutions to chronic bill payment challenges.
Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Total gross household income must be at or below 150% 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.
Household income should be calculated using the before tax amount for all household members, including minors. Minor income includes child support, SS, and DPA cash assistance, but does not include wages.
| Household Size | 150% Monthly | 150% Yearly |
| 1 | $1,883 | $22,590 |
| 2 | $2,555 | $30,660 |
| 3 | $3,228 | $38,730 |
| 4 | $3,900 | $46,800 |
| 5 | $4,573 | $54,870 |
| 6 | $5,245 | $62,940 |
| 7 | $5,918 | $71,010 |
| 8 | $6,590 | $79,080 |
| Each add’l add | $673 | $8,070 |
Peoples Customer Assistance Program (CAP) participants are given affordable, monthly, long-term bill payment plans so they can maintain their gas service. The payments are based on their income, not their gas usage.
Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Total gross household income must be at or below 200% 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.
Household income should be calculated using the before tax amount for all household members, excluding minors.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |