Your local SVDP is a part of your local Catholic church.  Volunteers from the parish answer calls from neighbors just like you.  A caring volunteer (called a Vincentian) will setup a time with you to listen to your needs, help you understand your options, help financially (as funds are available) or with food, clothing, household goods, or furniture, and pray with you.  

Benefits

• Transportation to meeting with your Vincentian neighbor is unnecessary as usually they visit with you in the comfort of your own home

• A neighbor will offer a listening ear and work with you directly

• Flexible options for assistance

• Fairly quick turnaround compared to other organizations

• No applications to complete to receive assistance

• Referrals to other places that can also help

Limitations

• Each SVDP conference is unique in what they are able to offer. 

• Limited by the number of volunteers and the amount of funds they have at any one time

• Depending on circumstances, it may take a long time to return your call

• Conferences sometimes temporarily pause taking any calls (there will be a notice on their voicemail)

• Depending on circumstances, they may not be able to help financially

• Some conferences require an eviction notice or a utility disconnect notice in order to provide financial assistance

Click Here to Find Your Local SVDP  (Google Map of all of the SVDPs in our area)

• Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner of the screen

• Type your address into the white search box

• Click “Move map to” to show your home on the map

• Zoom out until you see the blue boundary box around your home

• Click on the blue teardrop icon in the boundary box around your home to get a phone number for your local SVDP conference

Qualifying Ohio residents who use Duke Energey Ohio to receive natural gas service can receive a $500 energy bill credit through a new agreement between the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and Duke Energy Ohio.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level ($2,683/month for a household of one; $3,629/month for a household of two)

• Receive natural gas service from Duke Energy Ohio and have an account registered in your name

How to Apply

• • ** Have your 12-digit Duke Energy account number and your household income information handy when you call.

  • Anyone under 60 years old: Contact Community Action Agency at (513) 569-1840

  • For people 60 years old or older: 

    • • Apply Online Through the Council on Aging

      • Call Council on Aging, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm at (513) 721-1025 or (800) 252-0155 and select Option 2 from the menu. 

      • ** They are asking for people to apply online as there may be a long wait time if you apply by phone.

The Ohio PIPP program reduces your utility bill to a small percentage of your income (5-10%), which is very helpful.  But, beware, it has a catch.

Pros

• Makes utility bills more affordable (keeping payments to about 5-10% of income)

Cons

• If you fall behind in payments, you'll owe the total that's been accumulating.

• If you leave the program, you'll owe the total that's been accumulating.

• PIPP customers pay more per kilowatt hour than people not on PIPP (adding up to $300-1500 more per year).

Read PIPP Details and Rules Before Entering the Program >

Apply

• Apply Online >

• By Mail:

• Print the Application >

• Or pick up an application from: Your Local Library, Community Action Agency, Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services, or Area Agency on Aging

2022 Lawsuit

A lawsuit has been filed at the @PUCOhio about whether it's legal or not to charge PIPP participants a higher rate. Andrew Tinkham, senior outreach and education program specialist with Ohio’s residential utility watchdog, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel said "the recent expansion of the PIPP program [means] more people will be charged the higher rates" and raise rates for everyone.

• Read the History of the Case & the Rulings and Conclusions > (caution! Lots of legal jargon and a very long read)

• Read the WVXU Story >

• Comment Online >  (Docketing Case Number: 22-0556-EL-USF)

Ohio Homeowners having difficulties paying utilities due to Covd19-related financial hardship can get up to $10,000 to help pay those costs!  Learn More >

Apply

• • Apply Online >

  • Or Call 888-404-4674 

Share the Light Fund provides one-time assistance to eligible customers to help avoid disconnection or maintain service. The Salvation Army representative will work with the customer and Duke Energy to arrange for one-time payment assistance from available program funds, if applicable. The program opens Tuesday, January 18, 2023. Learn More >

Eligibility Guidelines

• • • Must be a resident of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland or Warren counties in southwest Ohio

    • Must have a heating account with Duke Energy

    • Must be the customer of record at Duke Energy

    • Must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge

    • Must not have received assistance from them in the last year

    • ** Cannot be on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus program unless funds are still available after March 31 **

Apply

• Apply Online >

• Or Call 513.762.5636 (Customers can leave a voicemail and will receive a callback within 72 hours)

Winter Rules begins October 17, 2022 and runs through April 14th, 2022 (which they call heating season). Winter Rules means that once per heating season any residential customer regardless of income or ability to pay what is owed may use the Special Reconnect Order to reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service. The Special Reconnect Order also applies to customers seeking to establish new electric or natural gas service. Learn More >

Current Customers

• Any residential customer, regardless of income or ability to pay what is owed may use the Special Reconnect Order to reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service

• Can only be used 1 time per heating season

• Must pay the utility company no more than $175 to avoid disconnect (plus any applicable reconnection charge which cannot exceed $36)

  • • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis program: If your income is at or below 175 percent of the federal income guidelines, you can apply for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis program to have the $175 amount paid by Community Action Agency on your behalf Learn More >

Apply

• • • • • Apply Online >

        • By Mail

          • • Print the Application

            • Or pick up an application from: Your Local Library, Community Action Agency, Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services, Or Area Agency on Aging

• If the reconnect charge is greater than $36, the difference between the reconnect charge and $36 may be charged to your next monthly bill

• If you owe the utility company more than $175, you need to make payment arrangements with the utility for the rest of the past due amount

  • • There are multiple extended payment plans available

    • You might be enrolled in Ohio’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Scroll down to read about PIPP

• If you're already on PIPP and have missed PIPP payments

  • • Duke will deduct the $175 you pay from your missed PIPP payments

    • You'll need to pay the difference between the total you owe and $175 HEAP payment to Duke before your next bill arrives

    • If you don't pay, your account will go back into disconnect status

New Customers

• Can pay up to $175 for the security deposit, rather than paying the full security deposit that may be required for new service

• The difference between the full security deposit and $175 may be charged to your next monthly bill

Details about Winter Rules

Details about HEAP Winter Crisis Program

Speak to a trained professional who can connect you to essential community services — 24/7, 365 days a year. Translation services available.

Their certified information and referral specialists are trained to listen, engage, ask questions, assess your needs and connect you to a community resource from our large database of local providers in the tristate.

Search United Way's Database of Assistance Sources >

How to Contact Them

Dial 211 or 513-721-7900

Text "211CARES" to 51555

Online Request - https://www.uwgc.org/get-help/united-way-211/intake-form

What Can 211 Help With?

The 211 service can help you find and access a number of resources (kind of like a Google search specifically for finding assistance for your situation). Below are just a few of the things they can help you find:

BASIC NEEDS: Food, Clothing, Cleaning Supplies, Low-Income Help, Transportation, Community Meals, Fresh Food, Housing, Child Care, Baby Supplies (Food, Diapers, etc.)

HOUSING: Tenant Rights, Public Housing, Rent Assistance, Mortgage Help, Homelessness, Relocation, Section 8, Care Shelters (Abuse, Youth, Elderly, Homeless, Women, Families), Senior Housing, Housing Complaints, Emergency Assistance

UTILITIES: We can help if you're struggling to pay bills or deposits for Electric/Power, Gas, Heat, Sewer, Water, Telecommunications (including Internet Access) and more.

MENTAL SERVICES: Support Groups, Therapy Referrals, Care Providers, Family Counseling, Counseling Providers, Adult and Child Behavioral Health Programs and Support, Bereavement and Grief Support, Identifying Mental Health Support Providers, Psychiatric Support Services, Specialized Support Hotlines.

HEALTH CARE: Health Screenings, Diagnostic Services, Substance Abuse Services, Immunization, Disability Information, New Parent and Expectant Parent Servies, Vaccinations, Prescription Medication Discounts, and more.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Job Training, Career Fairs, Continuing Education, Employment Agencies, General Employment Resources and Career Counseling Services.

A Hamilton County program providing eligible seniors with a one-time credit for either Duke Energy or Greater Cincinnati Water Works. Learn More >

Eligibility Requirements:

• • Hamilton County resident

  • Age 60 or older

  • Older adult or other family member in the household currently paying the utility bill

  • Ineligible for other assistance programs

  • Household income of 300% of poverty level or below

Apply:

• Call Council on Aging at 513-743-9000

• Depending on the volume of people in need, you may be put on a waitlist.

If a medically sensitive neighbor can't pay their electric bill, Duke offers a 30 Day Medical Certification option to avoid a disconnect.  The form may be used no more than 3 times in a rolling 12-month period. Learn More >

Eligibility Guidelines

• Utility service cutoff would be especially dangerous or life threatening

• Utility service is necessary for the operation of medical or life-supporting equipment

• Must not have an outstanding balance on your utility account (the utility company has the right to refuse medical certification until an outstanding balance is paid)

• Must have the certification form completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or local board of health physician

• Must agree to enroll in Ohio Percentage of Income Plan prior to the end of the medical certification period

Keep in Mind

• If you don't enter into the Ohio PIPP plan prior to the end of the medical certification period you will be subject to disconnection

• Your first PIPP payment will be due at the end of the certification period

• PIPP has caveats (see above section on PIPP)

• Lasts only 30 days

• Can be used no more than 3 times in a rolling 12-month period

Apply

• Request the Medical Certificate from Duke Online >

• If services have already been DISCONNECTED: Call 800.544.6900

PRC is designed to help families overcome immediate employment-related barriers in order to help families achieve or maintain self-sufficiency. Rent/Deposit assistance can be provided in association with a partner referral and active case management. Additional assistance is available depending on the needs of each applicant (utility assistance, uniforms, work transportation, support for pregnant/new moms, and more). Learn More >

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be age 18 or older.

2. Have at least one dependent child under the age of 18 in the household or be at least 6 months pregnant.

3. Meet income requirements.

4. Be employed or have an employment offer sufficient to meet ongoing needs. 

Apply

• Apply Online >

  • • Application Requirements

      • Documentation of financial eligibility must be submitted with the application. If documentation is not received with the application, it cannot be processed. 

        • • Pay stubs or similar proof of household income received within the last 30 days

          • Employment verification letter

          • Employment offer letter 

      • Documentation of need must be submitted with the application. If documentation is not received with the application, it cannot be processed. 

        • • Rent: Eviction notice, landlord statement of amount owed, Vendor Registration form completed by the landlord.

          • Deposit: Verification of coming out of homeless as documented by a referral partner or natural disaster or infestation and a Vendor Registration form completed by the new landlord.

          • Utilities: Current bill(s).  Note: Assistance with gas/electric bills is not available during the Winter Heating Season from 11/1/2022 – 3/31/2023.

          • Baby Items: Birth verification of a child under 18 months of age or pregnancy statement documenting pregnancy of at least six months.

          • School Supplies: Verification of school enrollment.

          • Work Uniforms/Scrubs: verification of employment related uniform requirement

          • Beds and Bedding: Verification of coming out of homelessness, natural disaster or infestation.

          • Gas cards/bus passes: Documentation of employment or a job offer.

• Organizations Can Complete an Referral Partner Application on Behalf of a Neighbor >