Heating season in Northeast Ohio runs from fall into spring, and for most renters the gas bill is the one that jumps. Most of the homes we rent are single-family houses, and in most of our properties the tenant sets up gas and electric in their own name. Your lease spells out exactly which utilities you pay. That means the help programs below are usually yours to apply for directly. Renters are eligible for all of them.
This guide collects the Ohio programs that can lower or catch up a heating bill this winter, with the dates and limits published by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) for the 2026–2027 season. Cleveland Comfort Housing does not run these programs and can't decide who qualifies. Always confirm the details with the program or your utility before you count on them.
Knowing your utility matters, because some programs only work with utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
| Service | Company | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas (Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Akron) | Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly Dominion Energy Ohio | 1-800-362-7557 |
| Gas emergency, 24/7 | Enbridge Gas Ohio | 1-877-542-2630 |
| Electric, most of Cuyahoga County | The Illuminating Company (CEI, FirstEnergy) | 1-800-589-3101 |
| Electric, Akron area | Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy) | 1-800-633-4766 |
Enbridge Gas Ohio, The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison are all PUCO-regulated, and the OCC lists them on its Special Reconnect Order fact sheet. Some addresses in the City of Cleveland get electricity from Cleveland Public Power, which is city-owned rather than PUCO-regulated. Check the name on your bill, because the rules below differ for municipal utilities. To confirm your gas company, see Enbridge's list of communities served.
HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program and PIPP Plus use the same income test: total gross household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, measured over the last 30 days or the last 12 months. The OCC publishes these 2026–2027 limits:
| Household size | 12-month limit | 30-day limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,930 | $2,295.62 |
| 2 | $37,870 | $3,112.60 |
| 3 | $47,810 | $3,929.59 |
| 4 | $57,750 | $4,746.58 |
| 5 | $67,690 | $5,563.56 |
| 6 | $77,630 | $6,380.55 |
| 7 | $87,570 | $7,197.53 |
Larger households use a state-median-income limit. Your local energy assistance provider can tell you the number. Wages earned by dependent children under 18 are not counted.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is federally funded and puts a one-time credit on your main heating account. The OCC says you can apply until May 31, 2027 in three ways: online at energyhelp.ohio.gov, through an appointment with your local Energy Assistance Provider, or by mailing the application from that site. Applications can take up to 12 weeks, and benefits start being applied in January (OCC HEAP flyer). The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services now runs Ohio's energy assistance programs (OCC Winter Crisis fact sheet).
Apply early in the fall even if your bill is current now. Regular HEAP won't stop a shut-off notice that arrives next month.
The HEAP Winter Crisis Program runs November 2, 2026 through March 31, 2027 (OCC fact sheet). It is for income-eligible households that:
The bill must be in the name of an adult in the household. Customers of PUCO-regulated gas and electric utilities can receive up to $175. Customers of municipal utilities or co-ops, like Cleveland Public Power, can receive up to $750.
You can start online, but you must complete an appointment with your local provider. Bring a list of household members, proof of income for each adult, your most recent gas and/or electric bills, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, and birth dates and Social Security numbers for everyone in the home. Once you have an appointment, a PUCO-regulated utility must delay disconnection for 30 days. That delay can be used once a year.
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus is a year-round plan for customers of participating PUCO-regulated utilities. Instead of paying for the gas or electricity you actually use, you are billed 5% of monthly household income for gas and 5% for electric, or 10% in an all-electric home. The minimum payment is $10 (OCC PIPP Plus fact sheet). You need an active account in your own name, and you must also apply for HEAP and weatherization help you qualify for. The OCC's PIPP Plus brochure explains that paying on time and in full each month also earns a credit toward any old balance.
PIPP Plus is not available for a municipal electric utility such as Cleveland Public Power.
Each heating season the PUCO issues a Special Reconnect Order. For 2026–2027 it runs October 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027 (OCC fact sheet). Any residential customer of a PUCO-regulated gas or electric utility, at any income, can pay $175 to keep or restore service even if they owe more. A reconnection fee of up to $36 may be charged upfront. It can also be used to start new service by paying $175 instead of the full security deposit, and any remaining deposit goes on the next bill. You use it by calling your utility. Questions go to the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826.
In Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Garfield Heights and Maple Heights, the local energy assistance provider is Step Forward. Its HEAP FAQ says crisis appointments are made by phone at (216) 480-HEAP (4327), Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., or online through its scheduler. New appointment slots open on weekdays at 8:00 a.m. during crisis season and fill quickly. Upload your documents at least five days before a crisis appointment. In Summit County (Akron), find your local provider through energyhelp.ohio.gov or the OCC utility assistance page.
Bill help comes from the utility and the state, but a heating equipment problem is a maintenance issue. Ohio's landlord-tenant law requires landlords to keep heating fixtures and appliances they supply in good and safe working order (ORC 5321.04).
Looking for a home? See our available rentals. Cleveland Comfort Housing is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider.
Program dates, limits and amounts come from the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Enbridge Gas Ohio, FirstEnergy and Step Forward as published in October 2026. Programs can change. Confirm the details with the program or your utility before you apply.
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