Home Maintenance/Utilities Assistance

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Services.  It is designated to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating.  It is a one-time credit toward your main heating source. Ohioans with a household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the program.  Start the application process at energyhelp.ohio.gov 

Winter Crisis Program: helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service.  The program typically runs from November - March. 

Summer Crisis Program: provides a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans with cooling assistance during the summer months.  The program typically runs from July-August. The focus of the Summer Crisis Program is to provide bill payment assistance for persons 60 years of age and older or those with a certified medical condition.

Home Weatherization and Energy Conservation Services: is a federally funded low-income residential energy efficiency program. The program reduces low-income households' energy use thus creating more affordable housing for those in most need.

Services include attic, wall and basement insulation; blower-door-guided air leakage reduction; heating system repairs or replacements; and healthy and safety testing and inspections.  All measures are provided based on an on-site energy audit and on cost-effective guidelines developed using the NEAT computerized energy audit. Individualized client education is an important component of the program.  partnerships are in place with Columbia Gas (WarmChoice), American Electric Power (AEP CAP), and Dominion East Ohio Gas (Housewarming) to provide their services to eligible households. 

Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or households participating in Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) qualify for the no-cost program. If you are a renter, your landlord must sign documents that authorize the weatherization of the property. 

Chores can include but are not limited to:

• Minor Home Repair and Maintenance

• Change light bulbs and furnace filters

• Minor Plumbing repairs

• Heavy household cleaning

• Wash walls/windows

• Installation of hand rails and grab bars

• Essential errands: (picking up prescriptions, grocery shopping, etc.)

• Yard work: (leaf raking, snow removal, trimming shrubs and bushes, cleaning spouts and eaves)

• Build simple wheelchair ramps

Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Repairs may include:

• Roof repairs/replacement

• Window replacement

• Furnace installation/repair

• Major plumbing repairs

Eligibility:

• Must demonstrate the need for the repairs

• Must be willing to partner with Habitat, if selected

If you are an income qualifying homeowner that needs repairs to keep your home clean, healthy, accessible and safe, but haven't been able to afford them, we may be able to help.  Call the office to get more information or to apply.  You can also print out the Critical Home Repair application from our website.  Fill it out and mail it to our office.

Programs include:

• Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) which can assist low-income families in a crisis situation with nonrecurring urgent needs.

This program provides:

• Funding for a new water well or rehabilitation of an existing one

Eligibility:

• Own your home and property, must be primary residence, no new construction, no reliable source of public water

• Gross annual household income must not exceed the median non-metropolitan household income for the state

Services include:

• Free internet service

Q Link Wireless customers can sign up for the benefit.  You can visit qLinkWireless.com.  Once approved you'll receive service in two to three days. 

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program lasts until the end of the year, after that individuals can roll over into the LifeLine program. 

Q Link's Lifeline Program:

Q Link Wireless provides Lifeline wireless phone service to low income individuals in need of communication services.

Cell Phone Service every month with:

• 3GB Data

• 1000 Minutes

• Unlimited texts

Eligibility:

• Your total household income meets your state's Federal Poverty Guidelines

• You participate in a government assistance program

This program provides:

• Smart phone

• Help paying phone bill

Lifeline Assistance is only available on one phone line per household (landline or wireless)

Eligibility:

• Individuals/families enrolled in any of these programs are eligible: Medicaid; Food Stamps/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8); Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs

• This program helps people with income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines.

Eligibility:

• Individuals may qualify for Lifeline service if they participate in public assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Assistance/Food Stamps OR 

• Medicaid OR

• Federal Public Housing/Section 8 Assistance OR

• Supplemental security Income (SSI) OR

• Veterans or Survivors Pension Benefit

This program provides:

• Free Voicemail, Caller ID & Call Waiting

• Free domestic long distance

• Nationwide coverage

• Exclusive Wireless Rewards program

To get started, please enter your zip code on our website to check eligibility and then you will follow the steps given to access services.

This program provides:

• Free voice, text, and data services for wireless phones

Eligibility: 

• This program helps people with income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines.

• OR must participate in qualifying federal or Tribal program. 

Eligibility: Must be eligible for The National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP, or Supplemental Security Income (age 65 only)

Through the Spectrum Internet Assist program qualified households can recieve:

• High-speed 30 MBPS Internet with no data caps

• Internet modem included

• No contracts required

• Add in-home WiFi for $5 more per month

Offer not valid for current Spectrum Internet subscribers.

Support is available 24/7

Free Services include:

• Free Voicemail, Caller ID& Call Waiting

• Free Domestic Long Distance

• Nationwide Coverage on one of the Fastest 4G Networks

Eligibility varies by state.  Only eligible consumers may enroll, and the service is limited to one Lifeline benefit per economic household.  This service is non-transferable.  Separate households that live at the same address are eligible, including residents of transitional housing, homeless shelters, and nursing homes.  Residents with temporary addresses are also eligible.  Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a StandUp Wireless.

Programs include:

• Summer Crisis Program:  During the summer months, consumers may qualify to receive up to $500.00 to pay an electric bill or repair a central air conditioning unit. 

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Two separate programs, HEAP and Emergency HEAP, can help pay a portion of winter heating costs for eligible Ohioans.

• Medical Certification Waivers: 30 day Medical Certificate (previously known as: Medical Certification Waivers) may help Ohioans that have a health condition that would be affected by disconnection.

• Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus): Income-eligible Ohioans may limit their electric and/or natural gas bill payments to a pre-determined percentage of their household monthly income. 

• Telephone Lifeline Programs: Qualifying Ohioans can receive assistance to make their telephone service more affordable. 

• Consumer Assistance for Military Families: Military members and their families may qualify for special assistance programs.

• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP): Low-income Ohioans may be eligible to receive assistance weatherizing their home to increase energy efficiency, which can help lower utility bills.

• Winter Reconnect Order (WRO): During the winter heating season, the WRO may allow all Ohioans, regardless of income, to reconnect or to avoid the disconnection of their utilities for one payment of $175.00

• Fuel Funds: Many utility companies offer payment assistance to qualifying low-income customers. 

Consumers are encouraged to contact their local Community Action Agency (www.energyhelp.ohio.gov), Department of Job and Family Services, and municipal and county governments about the availability of these and other resources.