Lancaster Fairfield Community Action, and Department of Development Offering Heat Assistance
Lancaster Fairfield Community Action, and Department of Development Offering Heating Assistance to Help Avoid Chill of Winter Months
More than 73,000 households served last year
The Ohio Department of Development and Lancaster Fairfield Community Action want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep Ohio’s families warm.Effective Nov. 1, 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. Program runs November 1, 2025 until March 31, 2025.
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, fuel tank testing and placement, and furnace repair. 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.
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.
Last year, the Winter Crisis Program assisted more than 73,000 households in Ohio, providing $25.5 million in benefits. “We’re proud to show up for Ohioans when they need us most, especially when Ohio winters create challenges for individuals and families,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “The Winter Crisis Program is here to provide critical support so people can stay safe, healthy, and warm through our coldest time of the year.”
Ohioans can start their application online but must schedule an appointment with their local energy assistance provider to complete a phone interview. The application and list of providers can be found online at energyhelp.ohio.gov.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents prior to their appointment:
- Income verification for the last 30 days
- 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
- If zero income, need to know how you have been maintaining your household. (Food stamps, Metropolitan Housing, detailed letter of support if receiving monetary assistance from someone outside the household, etc.) Will also need last year’s filed tax return or tax transcript.
- HEAP application (can be obtained from the agency or at faircaa.org/heap)
For Immediate Release: For more information, contact:
Nov. 03, 2025 Mason Waldvogel
Nov. 03, 2025 Mason Waldvogel
Lancaster Fairfield Community Action contact:
Shawna Abbott or Tonya Dobbins
sabbott@faircaa.org or tdobbins@faircaa.org
Shawna Abbott or Tonya Dobbins
sabbott@faircaa.org or tdobbins@faircaa.org
