The Ohio Department of Development and Lifeline, Inc. want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep Ohio’s families warm.

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 which is administered in Lake and Geauga Counties by local Community Action Agency, Lifeline, Inc.

The Winter Crisis Program assists Ohioans facing service disconnection, those who have already been disconnected, individuals needing to establish new service, and those required to pay for a service transfer. It also supports households with 25 percent or less of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain service. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $56,262.50.

Last year, the Winter Crisis Program assisted more than 73,000 households in Ohio, providing $25.5 million in benefits. More than 495 households in Lake County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program from November 1, 2024-March 31, 2025, with over $140,000 in federal HEAP funds expended.

Households serviced by a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)-regulated utility must sign up for PIPP or another payment plan if there is still an outstanding balance on the utility bill after receiving assistance.

Lake & Geauga County residents can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to download a copy of the application, or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider.

Same day appointments will be added daily for customers who are disconnected. Please call 440-350-9160 if you meet these guidelines for same day appointments. To schedule an appointment call, 1-440-381-8230 or visit https://app.capappointments.com/

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

  • Their most recent energy bills, if available.
  • A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
  • Proof of disability, if applicable.

For more information about the Winter Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, contact Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office at 440-350-9160 or visit www.lclifeline.org.