LIHEAP Ohio 2026-27: HEAP Income Limits and Winter Crisis

Ohio is one of the largest LIHEAP states. Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations found Ohio received $176,926,056, or $14.87 per resident, against a national figure of $11.94.

There's no free "HEAP grant" that arrives by text, call or social media. ACF's LIHEAP page (opens in a new tab) says LIHEAP doesn't give direct grants to individuals and doesn't charge a fee for a benefit.

For how LIHEAP works nationally, including the federal funding release for the 2026-27 winter and the 48-hour crisis rule, read our national LIHEAP guide. This page covers what's specific to Ohio.

Ohio HEAP 2026-27 at a Glance: Four Programs, Four Calendars

Ohio splits energy help into 4 programs, and each one has its own dates, rules and way to apply. These are the 2026-27 details posted by ODJFS and the OCC as of October 28, 2026.

Sources: ODJFS HEAP (opens in a new tab), ODJFS Winter Crisis (opens in a new tab), ODJFS Summer Crisis (opens in a new tab), ODJFS PIPP (opens in a new tab), the OCC HEAP fact sheet (opens in a new tab) and the LIHEAP Clearinghouse benefit table (opens in a new tab) (FY2026 Regular HEAP range).

The common mistake: treating Winter Crisis as the main program. Regular HEAP has been open since July 1, 2026, and the OCC says applications can take up to 12 weeks to process. If you apply now, you're in line before the winter rush. If your service is about to be cut, apply for Regular HEAP and book a Winter Crisis appointment; they're separate benefits.

Who runs it now. Every ODJFS energy page carries the same notice: "Effective April 6, 2026, this program will be administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. There will be no interruption of service or change in the application process." The old address, energyhelp.ohio.gov, now redirects to the ODJFS Energy and Community Assistance page (opens in a new tab). Older articles that tell you to call the Department of Development are out of date.

Ohio HEAP Income Limits for 2026-27

Ohio sets HEAP, Winter Crisis, Summer Crisis and PIPP Plus at 175% of the federal poverty guidelines for households of up to 7 people. The ODJFS HEAP page (for July 2026 to May 2027) and the OCC's HEAP, Winter Crisis and PIPP Plus fact sheets all list the same figures:

Source: ODJFS HEAP page (opens in a new tab) and OCC HEAP fact sheet (opens in a new tab), 2026-2027 limits.

Ohio's family-of-four limit of $57,750 is above the federal 150% floor of $48,225 for the same family that our national LIHEAP guide cites from the LIHEAP Clearinghouse. It's well below New York's: see our HEAP NY guide, where a family of four qualifies up to $82,224.

How Ohio counts income. You report total gross household income for the past 30 days or the past 12 months; ODJFS says 12 months is preferred. Wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 doesn't count. Homeowners and renters can both qualify. If you report zero income for two or more seasons, ODJFS says you'll need a filed IRS 1040, a tax transcript or proof of non-filing.

Households of 8 or more: the official numbers don't match. Grantsights compared the large-household figures across the official pages on October 28, 2026 and found four different 8-person limits:

The ODJFS Winter Crisis page also lists lower 12-month limits for 5 to 7 people ($65,887.50, $75,512.50 and $85,137.50) than the ODJFS HEAP page and the OCC. Those lower figures match 175% of the older 2025 poverty guidelines, so they look like a table that wasn't updated. If your household has 5 or more people and your income is close to the line, apply anyway and ask the provider which table it's using.

Regular HEAP: What It Pays and When

Regular HEAP is a one-time credit, applied once per heating season directly to your main heating account, whether that's a utility or a bulk fuel dealer. You don't get a check.

How much. Ohio doesn't publish a benefit chart. ODJFS says the amount depends on household income and poverty percentage, fuel source (gas or electric, propane, oil or kerosene, coal or wood), where you live in Ohio, and whether you're on PIPP. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse benefit table (opens in a new tab) lists Ohio's FY2026 heating benefit range as $24 to $441. That's a modest credit, not a paid-off winter, so plan around it.

The PIPP reduction. ODJFS's HEAP FAQ says households on both HEAP and PIPP "receive a 75% HEAP reduction." If you're on PIPP Plus, expect a smaller Regular HEAP credit; PIPP Plus itself is doing most of the work on your bill.

When it arrives. The two state sources describe the timing differently. ODJFS's FAQ says the benefit is applied "as early as October," while the OCC fact sheet says benefits are applied beginning in January. ODJFS asks you to allow 90 days for Regular HEAP and PIPP applications, and the ODJFS apply page says both online and mailed applications take 12 weeks. Either way, a November application won't help a December shutoff. That's what the Winter Crisis Program is for.

The Winter Crisis Program, November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

The Winter Crisis Program (WCP) is Ohio's emergency heating help. ODJFS says it runs from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027; the OCC's fact sheet lists November 2, 2026, the first Monday, as the start. Funding is first-come, first-served.

You may qualify if your income is at or below 175% of poverty and you:

• Have been disconnected, or have a disconnection notice
• Need to establish new service or pay to transfer service
• Have 25% or less of your bulk fuel (propane, fuel oil, kerosene) left in the tank
• Need a PIPP Plus default payment or a payment to enroll in PIPP Plus, per the OCC

The bill must be in the name of an adult household member.

What it pays. The OCC lists these 2026-27 maximums:

Source: OCC Winter Crisis Program fact sheet (opens in a new tab). The LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists Ohio's FY2026 winter crisis maximum as $1,200.

Specifically, the $175 for PUCO-regulated customers isn't a random number: it's the amount the PUCO's Winter Reconnect Order requires to keep or restore service (see below). The Winter Crisis Program pays it for households that qualify. The OCC also says crisis funds can cover bulk fuel tank costs such as testing, placement, rental and gauges.

The 30-day hold. Booking a Winter Crisis appointment with your local provider requires a PUCO-regulated utility to delay disconnection for 30 days, according to the OCC. You can use that hold once a year with each regulated gas or electric company. Book the appointment the day the notice arrives, not the day before the shutoff date.

After the payment. If you're with a PUCO-regulated utility and still have a balance after Winter Crisis help, ODJFS says you must sign up for PIPP Plus or another payment plan. The OCC lists the options: the One-Ninth, One-Sixth or One-Third extended payment plans, or PIPP Plus if you're eligible. The OCC also notes you're not eligible for Winter Crisis help while a medical certification is on file with the utility; it applies after the certificate expires.

Can't get an appointment? ODJFS's answer: appointments open throughout the day, so keep trying, and try your provider's own website. Have your utility bills ready to enter your account numbers.

PIPP Plus: Ohio's Income-Based Payment Plan

PIPP Plus is the program most Ohio households on HEAP should know about, because it changes every monthly bill, not just one. It's for customers of PUCO-regulated electric and natural gas utilities with income at or below 175% of poverty, and applications are accepted year-round.

Sources: ODJFS PIPP page (opens in a new tab) and OCC PIPP Plus fact sheet (opens in a new tab).

A worked example. Specifically, a family of four with gross income of $2,500 a month that heats with gas would owe 5% ($125) on the gas bill and 5% ($125) on the electric bill each month under PIPP Plus, regardless of how cold January gets. If that family had a $1,200 past-due gas balance when it enrolled, each on-time, in-full payment would credit $50 (1/24 of $1,200) toward it.

How people lose PIPP Plus. The OCC lists three ways: not reverifying income, not catching up missed payments by your anniversary date, and being disconnected for nonpayment. If you're dropped, the program debt can become due and go to collections. You can re-enroll by paying the missed payments, limited to 24 months' worth.

Leaving PIPP Plus. If your income rises or you leave voluntarily, Graduate PIPP Plus is a 14-month plan: make at least 12 on-time, in-full payments and the remaining program debt can be eliminated. Post PIPP Plus helps former customers who no longer have service with that utility: each payment is 1/60 of the final balance, and each forgives 1/12. These are the rules most people never hear about until a balance shows up.

PIPP Plus customers must also apply for HEAP and the Home Weatherization Assistance Program if they're eligible, per the OCC.

The PUCO Winter Reconnect Order for 2026-27

The PUCO's 2026-27 Special Reconnect Order runs October 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027, according to the OCC's Special Reconnect Order fact sheet (opens in a new tab) and the PUCO's September 30, 2026 announcement. Here's how it works:

You use the order by calling your utility. Questions about the order go to the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826.

Other Ohio shutoff protections. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse disconnection table (opens in a new tab) lists Ohio's protections as the winter reconnect order and a medical rule: a doctor's note delays a shutoff for 30 days, can restore service within 21 days of a shutoff, and can be renewed up to three times in 12 months. Ohio has no temperature-based shutoff ban, according to the same table.

A red flag people miss: the reconnect order, the 30-day crisis hold and PIPP Plus all cover PUCO-regulated utilities. If you buy propane or fuel oil, or get power from a municipal utility or an electric cooperative, those rules don't apply the same way. That's why Winter Crisis treats a tank at 25% as an emergency and pays bulk fuel customers more. Don't wait for an empty tank.

The Summer Crisis Program

ODJFS says the Summer Crisis Program runs July 1 to September 30 each year, so the 2026 season is closed and the 2027 season is expected to follow the same calendar. It helps with electric bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioner or fan purchases.

You need income at or below 175% of poverty plus one of: a household member 60 or older (the OCC says no medical documentation is needed for that), a physician's documentation that cooling is needed for a member's health, or a disconnect notice, a shutoff, or a need to establish new electric service. The OCC lists 2026 maximums of up to $500 toward the electric bill for PUCO-regulated customers and up to $800 for municipal or co-op customers, matching the LIHEAP Clearinghouse's $800 summer crisis maximum for Ohio. PIPP Plus customers can get help with central air repairs or receive an air conditioner or fans.

How to Apply for Ohio HEAP: Providers, Forms and Documents

According to the ODJFS apply page (opens in a new tab), there are three ways to apply:

1. Online. ODJFS says you can apply online for the Summer Crisis or Winter Crisis Program through the Energy Assistance Portal: log in to or create an OHID account, find the Energy Assistance Portal tile, request access and open the app. It needs a computer with Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge; ODJFS says it doesn't work on a smartphone or tablet. An online Winter Crisis application still needs an appointment with your local provider.
2. Appointment. Schedule with your local Energy Assistance Provider, in person or remotely.
3. Mail. Download the Energy Assistance Application (form JFS 00330) from the ODJFS apply page, or pick one up at a local provider or Area Agency on Aging, then mail it or drop it off. Sign it; ODJFS says an unsigned application will be delayed.

What you'll need, per ODJFS:

• Proof of income for each household member, including SSI, SSDI, Social Security, pensions, alimony, wages, self-employment and unemployment
• Copies of your most recent utility bills
• A list of everyone in the household, with Social Security numbers and birth dates
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members, such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers

Finding your provider. The ODJFS Energy Assistance Providers map (opens in a new tab) listed 52 locations on October 28, 2026, which you can filter by county; a few are weatherization or Electric Partnership Program providers only. Examples from that map for Ohio's largest metro areas:

Check the map for your county before you go, because some agencies cover several counties and appointment systems differ. To check the status of an application, ODJFS says to use the online portal or contact your provider. If you move and change utilities, tell your provider so the credit goes to the right account.

Ohio's LIHEAP Funding Per Resident

According to USAspending.gov FY2025 data, Ohio's LIHEAP agency was obligated $176,926,056 under Assistance Listing 93.568, the 7th-largest total of any state. Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 obligations found that's $14.87 per resident, using the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate of 11,900,510 Ohioans.

Source: USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 obligations for 93.568 by recipient state; Census Bureau Vintage 2025 state population estimates.

Ohio's $14.87 is about 1.25 times the national figure, but it's below most of its neighbors. West Virginia received $19.83 per resident, Michigan $18.26 and Pennsylvania $17.58, while Kentucky received $12.93 and Indiana $12.54. For the neighbors, see our guides to Michigan energy assistance and LIHEAP in Pennsylvania.

A big federal total doesn't mean a big check per household. Ohio's federal money funds Regular HEAP, two crisis programs and repair benefits for a state of nearly 12 million people, which is why the FY2026 Regular HEAP range topped out at $441.

What ODJFS's HEAP Page Doesn't Tell You

ODJFS's pages explain eligibility. Here's what they leave out that matters most for Ohio households.

1. PIPP Plus beats HEAP for most gas and electric customers. Regular HEAP is a one-time credit of a few hundred dollars at most. PIPP Plus caps every monthly bill and erases old debt over 24 on-time payments. If you're with a PUCO-regulated company and under 175% of poverty, PIPP Plus is your best bet; HEAP is the add-on. The trade-off: you have to pay on time every month, and dropping out can make the old debt due.
2. The $175 reconnect payment has no income test. Many people assume the Winter Reconnect Order is for low-income households only. The OCC says there are no income restrictions. Anyone with a PUCO-regulated utility can use it once this winter.
3. The 30-day hold is the fastest protection you have. Simply booking a Winter Crisis appointment stops a PUCO-regulated shutoff for 30 days. People who wait until the truck arrives lose that cushion.
4. The official income tables disagree for big households. As the table above shows, ODJFS and the OCC list different 8-person limits, and one ODJFS page lists outdated 5 to 7 person figures. A household of 6 earning $76,000 qualifies under the ODJFS HEAP page and the OCC but not under the ODJFS Winter Crisis table. Ask which one your provider uses.
5. Bulk fuel and co-op customers fall outside the PUCO rules. Propane, oil and municipal or co-op electric customers don't get PIPP Plus or the reconnect order. For them, Winter Crisis is the main protection, so apply at 25% of a tank, not at empty.
6. Old instructions still float around. Pages that send you to the Ohio Department of Development have been out of date since April 6, 2026. Start from the ODJFS energy page or your provider.

Avoid HEAP and Utility Scams in Ohio

Scammers target the weeks before winter shutoffs. The FTC's page on scammers who pretend to be your utility company (opens in a new tab) says real utilities don't demand same-day payment to avoid disconnection, and that demands for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps are red flags. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) says offers of free government grant money for personal bills are scams.

Ohio-specific warning signs:

• Someone charging a fee to fill out your JFS 00330 or to get you HEAP "faster." Applying is free, and processing times are set by the state.
• A text or call promising a HEAP deposit to your bank account. HEAP goes on your utility or fuel bill.
• A caller threatening to cut your gas or electric service within the hour unless you pay by gift card or app. Under the Winter Reconnect Order, $175 paid to your actual utility keeps service on this winter.
• A "PIPP Plus enrollment" offer from anyone other than your local provider or utility.

What to do: hang up and call your utility at the number on your bill, or your local provider. Report HEAP impersonation to the HHS fraud hotline at 1-800-447-8477 and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab). For utility complaints, call the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826 or the OCC at 1-877-742-5622.

Other Help in Ohio If HEAP Isn't Enough

• Weatherization. ODJFS also runs the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and the Electric Partnership Program (EPP), listed on its energy assistance page (opens in a new tab). Our home repair grants guide covers weatherization and USDA repair programs.
• Cash help for families. Ohio's TANF program is Ohio Works First. Our TANF guide explains it, and our guide to emergency cash assistance covers one-time help when a bill can't wait.
• Food. SNAP can free up money for the heating bill. See our SNAP guide.
• Older Ohioans. Area Agencies on Aging hand out HEAP applications, per ODJFS. See our help for seniors guide.
• 211. Dial 211 for local emergency utility, rent and food help.

Still unsure where an Ohio household should start? Grantsights' free eligibility checker asks who you are first. Pick "Individual" and then "Personal financial help" (or "Student"), and it doesn't show grants: it shows official routes, namely the USA.gov benefit finder, rental help, help with bills, food help, studentaid.gov, and the 211 line. In Ohio, the bills route ends at your local Energy Assistance Provider, which handles HEAP and PIPP Plus together. Our guide on how to apply for grants as an individual explains why household help comes through programs like these rather than personal grants.

FAQ: LIHEAP Ohio Questions

Who runs HEAP in Ohio now?

ODJFS, since April 6, 2026, with no change to how you apply. Local Energy Assistance Providers, mostly community action agencies, still take applications.

What are the Ohio HEAP income limits for 2026-27?

175% of poverty: $27,930 a year for one person, $37,870 for two, $47,810 for three, $57,750 for four, $67,690 for five, $77,630 for six and $87,570 for seven. Figures for eight or more differ across official pages, so confirm with your provider.

When is the Ohio Winter Crisis Program open?

November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, per ODJFS; the OCC lists November 2. You need an appointment with your local provider.

How much does the Winter Crisis Program pay in Ohio?

Up to $175 for PUCO-regulated utility customers, $750 for municipal or co-op customers, $1,200 for propane, oil or kerosene, and $650 for wood or coal, plus up to $1,500 for heating repair or replacement.

What is PIPP Plus?

A year-round plan for PUCO-regulated customers at or below 175% of poverty: 5% of income on gas and 5% on electric, or 10% for all-electric homes, with a $10 minimum. On-time payments credit 1/24 of your old balance each month.

What is the PUCO Winter Reconnect Order for 2026-27?

From October 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027, any residential PUCO-regulated customer can keep or restore service once by paying $175 plus a reconnection fee of up to $36. There's no income test.

Is an Ohio HEAP grant offered by text or phone real?

No. HEAP is credited to your utility or fuel bill and applying is free. Report offers to 1-800-447-8477 and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Sources

1. ODJFS: Energy and Community Assistance (opens in a new tab) - program list and April 6, 2026 transfer to ODJFS
2. ODJFS: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (opens in a new tab) - July 2026 to May 2027 income limits, benefit factors, PIPP reduction, processing time
3. ODJFS: HEAP Winter Crisis Program (opens in a new tab) - November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 dates and eligibility
4. ODJFS: HEAP Summer Crisis Program (opens in a new tab) - July 1 to September 30 dates and eligibility
5. ODJFS: Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) (opens in a new tab) - payment percentages, minimum, 24-payment rule
6. ODJFS: Apply for Ohio Energy Assistance Programs (opens in a new tab) - online portal, form JFS 00330, documents
7. ODJFS: Energy Assistance Providers map (opens in a new tab) - 52 provider locations
8. OCC: Home Energy Assistance Program fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - July 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 application window
9. OCC: Winter Crisis Program fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - 2026-27 benefit maximums, 30-day hold, payment plans
10. OCC: Summer Crisis Program fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - 2026 benefit maximums
11. OCC: PIPP Plus fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - arrearage credits, anniversary date, Graduate and Post PIPP Plus
12. OCC: Special Reconnect Order fact sheet (opens in a new tab) - October 12, 2026 to April 16, 2027 rules
13. PUCO bulletin, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Special Reconnect Order for the 2026-2027 heating season
14. LIHEAP Clearinghouse benefit levels (opens in a new tab) and disconnection policies (opens in a new tab) - Ohio FY2026 benefit range and shutoff protections
15. ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) - fraud notice
16. FTC: Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab)
17. USAspending.gov award search (opens in a new tab) - FY2025 obligations for Assistance Listing 93.568