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Large HEAP Logo (color) 

 

What is Regular  HEAP?


The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Assistance (OCA). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit wilI depend on federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income, and the primary fuel you use to heat your home. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company (or fuel vendor).   

Energy Assistance Application (pdf)

Eligibility Requirements:


Applications for the 2011-2012 Regular HEAP program will be accepted August 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012. The total household income of an applicant must be at or below 200 percent of the Fiscal Year 2011 federal poverty guidelines listed below: 

 

Size of Household Total Household Income 12 Months
1 up to $21,780.00
2 $29,420.00
3 $37,060.00
4 $44,700.00
5 $52,340.00
6 $59,980.00
7 $67,620.00
8 $75,260.00

 

**For households with more than eight members, add $7,640 per member.

A household applying for HEAP must report total gross household income for the past 12 months for all members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for assistance. 

Exceptions to the Guidelines:


Families who live in federally subsidized housing where the heat is included in the rent are not eligible for HEAP. 

Household Income:


Household income is defined as the total annual gross income before taxes (minus exclusions) of all household members, except earned income of dependent minors under 18 years of age. All income and allowed exclusions must be documented for household members 18 years of age and older regardless of relationship to the primary applicant. Heads of households and spouses may never be considered minors. Gross household income includes wages, interest, dividends, annuities, and pensions. Additional sources of countable income include, but are not limited to the following:

Included (Countable) Household Income

  • Active Military Pay (Basic pay)
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Alimony
  • Annuity
  • Black Lung
  • Capital Gains - Proceeds from sale of property, home and stock
  • Cash Withdraws from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)
  • Child Support Received
  • Company Disability and Black Lung
  • Disability Assistance (DA)
  • Estate and Trust Settlements - minus attorney fees
  • Farm Income
  • Garnisheed Wages, including Bankruptcy/Chapter 13
  • Monetary Assistance
  • Grants/Training Stipends – living expenses only
  • Immigrant Relocation Allowance
  • Interest earned from Savings Accounts
  • Lump Sum Distribution
  • Odd Jobs
  • Pensions - Government/Veterans/Private Industry
  • Rental Income
  • Self-Employment
  • Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability (SSDI)
  • Strike Benefits
  • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Unearned income paid to or on the behalf of minors
  • Unemployment Benefits
  • Utility Allowances (as discretionary income)
  • Wages/Tips
  • Workers' Compensation

Excluded Household Income

  • Agent Orange Compensation/Benefit
  • Assets from bank withdrawals
  • Attorney’s fees for Estate & Trust Settlements
  • *Child Support Paid
  • FEMA – Cash Payments
  • Food Stamps/Cash Payment for food stamps
  • *Funds/training stipends designated for specific purposes (i.e., educational Grants/Training stipends for tuition and/or books only-not living expenses).
  • Handicapped Income - self-sufficiency programs (example: work expenses for the blind)
  • *Health Insurance Premiums (dental, vision, health and supplemental insurance)
  • Income earned by dependent minors less than 18 years of age
  • *Loans from individuals or institutions requiring repayment of either principle or principal and interest
  • Medicare Payments
  • *Military Allowances for Subsistence, Housing, Family Separation, etc.
  • Prevention, Retention, & Contingency (PRC) - assistance to attempt to divert families from long term financial dependency
  • Stipend for Foster Care
  • Tax refunds and rebates
  • Title III Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Program (DREAP)
  • Title V Wages/Senior Community Employment Programs (SCEP) - Older Americans’ Act (Public Law 100-175) Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb), Foster Grandparents Program, Mature Services
  • Transportation Allowances (i.e., Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Workfare   
  • Work Allowances (i.e., Learning Earning and Parenting [LEAP]
  • Volunteers in Service to America (Vista) or other AmeriCorps Stipends

* These exclusions require documentation.

Where Can You Obtain HEAP Applications?


The HEAP application is the same Energy Assistance Programs application referenced above. They were mailed to households that were found eligible for assistance the previous winter heating season. Applications are available at: 

  • Call HEAP toll-free at (800) 282-0880

  • Local Community Action Agencies

  • Local libraries

  • County Departments of Job and Family Services

  • Area Agencies on Aging

  • Local Utility Offices

What else is required to be mailed with your completed and signed application?
  • Proof of income for the past 12 months
  • A copy of a recent fuel/utility bill
  • Please sign your application.

Mail Completed and Signed Applications to:
HEAP
P.O. Box 1240
Columbus, Ohio 43216


For Additional Information:


Call HEAP toll-free at (800) 282-0880 during regular business hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. For the hearing-impaired with a telecommunication device for the deaf (TTD), call toll-free number (800) 686-1557 or in Franklin County, call (614) 752-8808.