Winter Crisis Program (WCP)
Available November 1 – March 31

The Ohio Department of Development and Ross County Community Action Commission (RCCAC) want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep more of Ohio’s families warm. From Nov. 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

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The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have PIPP default, need to pay first PIPP, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service.

The program runs from November 1 until March 31. Ohio households serviced by a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio-regulated utility must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) or another payment plan if there is still an outstanding balance on the bill after receiving assistance.

Who is Eligible for the Winter Crisis Program?

Ohioans with a household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines that are facing disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have PIPP default, need to pay first PIPP, or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank are eligible for the program.

Size of Household Total Household Income 12 Months
1 up to $26,355
2 up to $35,770
3 up to $45,185
4 up to $54,600
5 up to $64,015
6 up to $73,430
7 up to $82,845

For households over eight (8) members, 60% State Median Income (SMI) is used. A household applying for HEAP must report total gross household income for the past 30 days (12 months preferred) for all members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for assistance.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • Income verification for the last 30 days. Acceptable documents include SSA, SSI and SSDI award letters, Pension statement, Pay stubs must include company name and address, OWF/TANF, Unemployment, Employment Disability, Worker's Compensation, Utility Reimbursement, IRA Profits, Divorce Settlements, Alimony, Military pay, child support.
  • If self-employed, ledger showing last 12 months earnings and expenses, and most recently filed tax forms and schedules, or most recent IRS Account Transcript.
  • If seasonally employed, the last 12 months of paystubs are needed or agency seasonal employment form.
  • Social Security cards, birth certificates, or other proof of citizenship documents for all household members
  • Social Security numbers for all members of household.
  • Most recent gas and electric bills, propane/fuel oil invoice (even if assistance is not needed for both services).
  • If disabled, proof of disability
  • No Income: if the household has no income, or no verifiable income, you will need the following:
    • Letter of Support
    • IRS Tax Transcript
    • If you filed a tax return, you can call the IRS at 1-800-908-3346
    • If you did not file a return, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040
    • You can go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
    • You can visit the IRS office in the Federal Building at 200 N. High St. Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Please note after reviewing your documents we may request additional information to complete your application.

To schedule an appointment please click here or call our appointment line directly at 740.536.1199

We'd love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please call (740) 702-7222 or fill out this form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.