Mandarin
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 Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Maryland with their heat bills. When the program is open, eligible customers must apply for MEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund.
To be eligible for MEAP, 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 MEAP.
The HeatShare Fuel Fund, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their Columbia Gas of Maryland bills. Customers may receive a one-time grant applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, to all eligible applicants regardless of service status.
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, may have a $0 balance as long as there is no existing credit on the account.
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.
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” non-heat, commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Verification of income or proof of MEAP or Crisis application, when those programs are open, must be attached to all applications.
A copy of the most recent utility bill with proof of minimum payment must be attached to all applications.
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 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
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Arkansas with their utility bills. The program is administered by the Department of Human Services. Eligible customers must apply for LIHEAP funding prior to applying for a grant from Dollar Energy Fund’s Arkansas Utility Assistance Program.
To be eligible for LIHEAP, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income.
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help you pay your heat and electric bills! EAP is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected, or are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.
To be eligible, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income. Visit the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority website for a detailed breakdown of income qualifications and program guidelines.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program available to help eligible customers in Louisiana with their utility bills. The program is administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. 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 60 percent of the state’s median income.
The MUD Energy Assistance Program, a Hardship Program administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their Metropolitan Utilities District bills. Customers may be eligible to receive a grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
The calendar year of the program runs from October 1st through September 30th. The program is currently open for customers whose service is off only.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Individuals eligible for assistance are those who are experiencing an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency and who have exhausted alternative resources. Emergency situations generally include:
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their MUD bill of at least $100.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Applicants can receive more than one grant per program year until reaching the maximum grant amount. (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.
All applicants must provide verification of income. Verification of income can be proof of enrollment in another low-income program.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally- funded programs when those programs are open.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on application must match the name (or one of the names) listed on the utility bill and must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Grants can be used to cover security deposits.
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 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 |