Columbus AEP Ohio Bill Help 2026–27: HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program, PIPP Plus and Neighbor to Neighbor Grants
Updated: 1 day ago
If you're behind on your AEP Ohio electric bill in Columbus, there are four main programs that can help this winter, and they fit together in a specific order. HEAP gives a one-time credit. The Winter Crisis Program stops a shutoff or gets your power back on. PIPP Plus caps your monthly payment at a share of your income. And AEP Ohio's Neighbor to Neighbor fund can add up to $500 for households that earn a bit too much for the state programs.
Here's who qualifies for each in 2026–27, what they pay, and how to apply in Franklin County through IMPACT Community Action.
Last reviewed: October 2026. See our Editorial Standards for how we check these details.
AEP Ohio's electric utility is legally called Ohio Power Company, so you'll see both names.
Where Columbus customers should start
HEAP (regular): one-time credit for winter heating costs. Income at or below 175% of poverty. Apply July 1, 2026–May 31, 2027. Credits start posting in January.
Winter Crisis Program: Nov. 2, 2026–March 31, 2027. For shutoff notices, disconnections, new service and PIPP defaults. Up to $175 for AEP Ohio and other PUCO-regulated utilities.
PIPP Plus: pay 5% of monthly income for electric (and 5% for gas), or 10% if your home is all-electric, with a $10 minimum. Income at or below 175% of poverty.
Neighbor to Neighbor (AEP Ohio): grant up to $500, income up to 300% of poverty, not for current PIPP customers.
Apply in Franklin County: IMPACT Community Action, 711 Southwood Ave., Columbus, 614-252-2799, option 4.
Making a Winter Crisis appointment delays a shutoff by a regulated utility for 30 days.
2026–27 Income Limits
HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program and PIPP Plus all use 175% of the federal poverty guidelines for households up to seven people (60% of state median income for eight or more). The OCC's 2026–2027 PIPP Plus flyer lists:
Household size | 12-month limit | 30-day limit |
1 | $27,930 | $2,295.62 |
2 | $37,870 | $3,112.60 |
3 | $47,810 | $3,929.59 |
4 | $57,750 | $4,746.58 |
5 | $67,690 | $5,563.56 |
Larger households should ask their local agency. Income can be counted over the last 30 days or the last 12 months, which helps if you recently lost a job. Wages of children under 18 don't count.
Note: IMPACT Community Action's PIPP page still says 150% of poverty. The OCC's 2026–2027 flyer uses 175%. Go by the OCC figure and confirm at your appointment.
HEAP: The One-Time Winter Credit
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is federal money run by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Eligible households get a one-time credit on their main heating source, whether that's an electric bill, a gas bill or bulk fuel.
Homeowners and renters can both qualify.
You don't have to be behind to get it.
Apply July 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. You can apply online at energyhelp.ohio.gov, mail or drop off a paper application, or make an appointment with your local agency.
Benefits start posting in January.
The OCC says the amount depends on household size and income, whether someone in the home has a disability, whether someone is 60 or older or 5 or younger, whether you're on PIPP Plus, and how much federal funding Ohio receives. There's no fixed dollar figure.
The Winter Crisis Program: Stop a Shutoff
The Winter Crisis Program (also called Emergency HEAP) helps once per winter if your household:
Has been disconnected
Has a shutoff notice
Needs to establish new service or pay to transfer service
Has a PIPP Plus default or needs to enroll in PIPP Plus
Has 25% or less of a bulk fuel supply
Dates and amounts
The program runs November 2, 2026, through March 31, 2027. For customers of PUCO-regulated electric and gas companies like AEP Ohio and Columbia Gas, the maximum benefit is $175. Customers of municipal utilities or co-ops can get up to $750, bulk fuel customers up to $1,200, and there's a separate benefit of up to $1,500 for heating system repair or replacement for homeowners.
The 30-day hold
This is the most useful part. The OCC says when you make an appointment with your local agency, a PUCO-regulated utility must delay disconnection for 30 days after the appointment. You can use that delay once a year per utility. If you've got a shutoff notice, call IMPACT before doing anything else.
After you get help
If you still owe a balance after crisis help, the OCC says you must enroll in an extended payment plan: the One-Ninth, One-Sixth or One-Third (Winter Heating Season) plan, or PIPP Plus if you qualify.
One catch: you aren't eligible for the Winter Crisis Program while a medical certificate you filed with your utility is still active. Wait until it expires.
How to apply
You can start online, but the OCC says you must have an appointment with your local agency to finish. Appointments can be in person or remote.
PIPP Plus: A Payment Based on Income
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) is for customers of PUCO-regulated utilities like AEP Ohio. Instead of paying your actual bill, you pay a set share of your income every month, year-round.
Gas heat: 5% of monthly household income for gas, plus 5% for electric
All-electric home: 10% of monthly income for electric
Minimum payment: $10 a month
IMPACT explains that the state subsidizes the rest of the bill. Pay on time and in full, and your old balance shrinks. After 24 on-time, in-full payments, IMPACT says your remaining past-due balance is eliminated.
Staying in the program
Re-verify your income every year.
Be caught up on PIPP payments by your anniversary date, the date you enrolled.
Report changes in income or who lives with you.
Missing payments or skipping re-verification can get you dropped, and the OCC flyer warns you may have to pay money back. If you fall behind, the Winter Crisis Program can cover a PIPP default.
Neighbor to Neighbor: AEP Ohio's Own Grant
AEP Ohio's Neighbor to Neighbor program, run by the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund, gives a grant applied directly to your Ohio Power bill. It reaches more households than the state programs because its income limit is 300% of poverty.
2026–27 rules
Open October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, first-come, first-served while money lasts
Maximum grant: $500, once per program year
Balance: at least $50 owed and at least 30 days behind
Good-faith payment: you must have paid at least $75 on your Ohio Power account in the 3 months before applying. Pledges and other grants don't count toward this.
Not eligible: current PIPP customers
The account must be residential and in the name of an adult living in the home
Grants can't cover security deposits or reconnection fees
You must apply for federal programs like HEAP when they're open
300% income limits
Household size | Monthly | Yearly |
1 | $3,990 | $47,880 |
2 | $5,410 | $64,920 |
3 | $6,830 | $81,960 |
4 | $8,250 | $99,000 |
One warning: if your power is off or about to be shut off and $500 won't be enough to fix it, the application will be denied. You'd be told you need to make an extra payment first.
How to apply
Call AEP Ohio at 1-800-672-2231 for referrals, or find an intake agency with Dollar Energy Fund's online Agency Finder.
Applying in Columbus: IMPACT Community Action
IMPACT Community Action is Franklin County's energy assistance agency for HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program and PIPP Plus.
Address: 711 Southwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43207
Appointments: 614-252-2799, option 4, or book online
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
IMPACT also lists a satellite location serving ZIP codes 43068, 43110, 43213 and 43232.
What to bring
From IMPACT and the OCC:
A valid driver's license or photo ID
Proof of income for the last 30 days (or 12 months) for everyone 18 and older
Your current electric and gas bills, whether or not they're past due
Proof of citizenship or legal residency for all household members, regardless of age
Birth dates and Social Security numbers for everyone in the household
Proof of disability, if it applies
Quick Checklist
Shutoff notice? Call IMPACT at 614-252-2799 for a Winter Crisis appointment. That triggers a 30-day hold.
Under 175% of poverty? Apply for HEAP now and ask about PIPP Plus.
Over the limit but struggling? Call AEP Ohio about Neighbor to Neighbor.
Gather documents: ID, 30 days of income, bills, Social Security numbers.
On PIPP? Pay on time and re-verify each year.
A few details still need confirming with the office itself: HEAP benefit dollar amounts aren't published. energyhelp.ohio.gov returned an error page when we checked. IMPACT's PIPP page lists a 150% income limit that conflicts with the OCC's 175% (flagged). IMPACT's satellite address and its online booking steps weren't captured. AEP Ohio's own payment arrangement and medical certificate rules weren't reviewed beyond the OCC summary.
Related Guides
More help in Columbus
Every guide we have for Columbus is listed on our Columbus financial help hub. Related guides for the same area:
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