Relief Available for Ohio & Kentucky Natural Gas and Electric Customers
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for housing or utility expenses, there are more options to receive help than ever before. New and existing assistance programs are currently available, all purposely designed to help those affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19 or other hardships encountered over the course of 2020 and 2021.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This income-based assistance program allows those earning below certain income thresholds to qualify for federal energy bill assistance money. The qualifying income thresholds are based on factors that include household income and the number of people living in your home.
Learn how to qualify and apply for LIHEAP funds.
Duke Energy Ohio customers: Call 800.282.0880 or visit Ohio Emergency Assistance Programs
Duke Energy Kentucky customers: Call 800.456.3452 or visit KY LIHEAP
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program funds are available to help eligible customers pay past-due, rent and utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020. There is no limit to the amount of funds you can receive, provided past-due bills have been verified.
Households should apply for emergency rental or utility assistance funds if one or more individuals living in the household:
Has qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred major costs or experienced other financial hardship due to or during the pandemic
Can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability
Has a household income below 80% of the median (average) area income
Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is a new federal program established for homeowners experiencing a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, as a result of COVID-19. The HAF will provide funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures and loss of utility service. Homeowners with an income equal to or less than 150% of the area median (average) income may be eligible. Ohio homeowners can prequalify and apply for these funds by visiting Save the Dream Ohio.
WHERE TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS
Customers who qualify for LIHEAP or the ERA or HAF programs can receive assistance through their local community action agency.
To locate an agency near you, visit 211.org.
OTHER ASSISTANCE
Summer Crisis Program (Ohio Customers Only)
The Summer Crisis Program provides 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 and older, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has a certified medical condition, and households who have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service may be eligible for assistance. The program runs July 1 through September 30.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (Ohio Customers Only)
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus is an income-eligible program that allows qualifying customers to pay a percentage of their income toward their energy bills, regardless of monthly usage. This program is intended to make your monthly energy payments more affordable on a year-round basis. If customers pay the monthly PIPP Plus payment on time and in full, some of their old debt and the remainder of that month’s bill may be forgiven.
Customers can find more information by visiting Summer Crisis Program or calling 800.282.0880.
Budget Billing
Favored by customers who like to know what to expect each month, Duke Energy’s Budget Billing program allows you to pay one predictable monthly amount to help provide better control over your budget. Your monthly Budget Billing amount is based on the average of your actual bills over the last 12 months and is periodically reviewed and adjusted.
To learn more or sign up online, visit Duke Energy Budget Billing.
Pick Your Due Date
With Duke Energy’s Pick Your Due Date option, you can choose the date you want your energy bill to be due each month. For even more control over your energy bills, combine Pick Your Due Date together with Budget Billing.
Learn more about Pick Your Due Date at Duke Energy Pick Your Due Date.
Installment Plans
Installment plans give you more flexibility to pay back a past-due balance over a longer period of time. Helpful options are available for you to request a few extra days or to restructure your entire past-due balance into a monthly payment plan.
To learn more, please call customer service at 800.544.6900.
©2021 Duke Energy Corporation 211761-DEOK 9/21
ASSISTANCE AGENCY FUNDS
Assistance agencies in your area may be able to help make payments to cover some or all of your past-due utility bill balance. To learn about agencies that serve your area, please visit 211.org online. This free United Way service helps connect customers to local community agencies supplying aid for a wide range of needs, including help with energy bills. These agencies often administer both state and federal funds or know of state agencies that are overseeing related state-approved funds.