Paulding Putnam recognizes that financial hardships happen to everyone, and sometimes you need a little extra support paying your bill. The following options include giving more time to pay, setting up payment plans, and harnessing the power of our communities to help reduce your payment. Let’s work together to find the right option for you.
Review the options below to determine which best applies to your situation. We are available to help you decide by calling our office and speaking with a member services specialist at (800) 686-2357.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. This one-time benefit is applied directly to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill. To learn more about the Ohio HEAP Program visit the HEAP website or call (800) 282-0880.
Members in Indiana can receive assistance by contacting your local township trustee or visiting the IN.gov site for Community Action Agency locator.
Defiance, Paulding, & Van Wert – Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, Inc.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program that helps low-income households meet their immediate home energy needs.
- The LIHEAP fund received a sizable allocation of new federal funds as part of the coronavirus stimulus program.
- LIHEAP funds are distributed through local Community Action Agencies (CAA).
Looking for help with your home energy bills? Access contact information in Ohio and Indiana. You can also call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at (866) 674-6327.
Contact the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority by calling (800) 872-0371 or online for a county-by-county directory.
Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program)
The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) helps income-eligible Ohioans that are up for disconnection or have been disconnected to 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 in order to receive emergency benefits and or if there is still an outstanding balance on the bill after receiving assistance.
To be directed to your local provider: Call (800) 282-0880.
Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program
The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans with cooling assistance during the summer months. The program runs from July 1 to September 30.
The focus of the Summer Crisis Program is to provide assistance with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases. Households with a household member who is either 60 years of age or older, who has a certified medical condition, and households that have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service may be eligible for assistance. Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) Program are eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and or fan.
Notice to Indiana Power Members
Heat Index-based Summer Disconnection Prohibition
A cooperative may not disconnect residential electric service for any member who is eligible for and applied for LIHEAP assistance in the current calendar year on any day when the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a forecast indicating that the heat index at the customer’s service address will reach or exceed 95°F within the next 48 hours.
If a cooperative has issued a notice of disconnection to an eligible customer and the disconnection day falls on a day that meets or exceeds the heat index threshold, the disconnection must be tolled until the first day on which the heat index threshold is not forecasted to reach 95°F.
To be directed to your local provider: Call (800) 282-0880.