Provides low-income residents opportunity to set up reduced rate payment plans with their utility company.

Offers four (4) residential rate discounts: 1. RECYCLING DISCOUNT - All Akron residents are eligible to save $2 per month on their bill by requesting a free recycling container from the 311 Contact Center and by recycling bottles, cans, newspapers, and so forth. 2. HEAP DISCOUNT - Offers a 50% reduction of upcoming sewage rate increases for low-income Akron customers who are accepted for HEAP assistance. 3. HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION DISCOUNT - Offers savings over $8 per month for homeowners who have been approved for the Homestead Exemption. 4. GO GREEN CREDIT OFFER - Offers a one-time credit of $5 for customers who switch from receiving their water/sewer/curb service bill in their mail box to a bill by e-mail.

Provides eligible households with a monthly discount on qualifying phone service. Those eligible will receive a monthly allotment of data, voice minutes, and text messages.

Provides temporary financial assistance with electric service payments.

Provides customers with a monthly discount off the cost of internet or bundled phone and internet services.

The Winter Reconnect Order issued each year by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has a new name. It is now the Special Reconnect Order (SRO). The SRO may be used once per utility (electric and natural gas) from Oct 13, 2025 through April 15, 2026 to reconnect or to avoid disconnection of investor-owned, PUCO-regulated utilities. The SRO allows customers to pay only $175, plus up to $36 for a reconnection fee (if applicable), of what they owe. Any remaining balance is put into a payment arrangement. There are no income restrictions, and the Order may also be used to establish or transfer service. If the SRO is used for both electric and natural gas at the same time, the $175 may be split between the two.

Makes a payment once per heating season to reconnect or maintain energy costs for households [Up to $175 for PUCO regulated companies, $550 for non-PUCO regulated utilities (such as a municipal utility), $750 for those who use bulk fuel - (propane or bottled gas), or $450 for coal or wood.] On same day as appointment, agency will send utility company a letter of intent to pay, which the utility company must observe as a payment. Actual payment is sent directly to the utility company within 30 days and will be reflected on bill within 60-90 days. Payment can be used to pay reconnection fees or deposits if client cannot get utilities connected at a new residence due to outstanding bills at the previous residence or poor credit. Any PUCO-regulated company customer who has a confirmed utility assistance appointment with a Community Action Agency will have their disconnection suspended for at least 5 days past the date of the appointment. Appointment confirmation will be sent to utility company within 24 hours. PUCO-regulated customers must sign up for PIPP or another payment plan to receive emergency benefits.

Provides assistance with food, shelter (rent or mortgage), utility bills (gas and electric), principal car payments, and other needed services for Veterans, active duty military, and dependent survivors. In some cases, may assist with indigent burial. Assistance is in the form of vouchers. Amount of assistance is based on demonstrated need.

Provides emergency water bill payment assistance for individuals whose water service has been or is at risk of being shut off. Assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis. Funds are very limited and may not always be available.

Salvation Army has limited assistance, when funds are available, for emergency assistance with electric bills, after all other resources have been exhausted.

Bethel Hope offers emergency financial assistance for heating fuel and propane, on a case by case basis.

Provides temporary financial assistance for veterans with minor children in which the veteran is eligible for membership in the American Legion. Financial assistance may cover the housing, food, utilities and health care expenses of eligible children.

Provides assistance with electric, natural gas, fuel oil, propane, firewood, and water for eligible applicants. Maximum payment in a 12-month period is $1,500 (which counts against an overall $1,500 cap on all PRC services in a 12-month period).

Provides utility assistance for a disconnect notice on electric, water, or gas. Provides sewer bill assistance for renters.

Provides food, child care, Medicaid, cash, transportation, rent and utility assistance; child support enforcement; paternity establishment; child protective services; foster parent licensing and training; adult protective services.

Assists individuals who voluntarily choose to be removed from the PIPP Plus program. Note: once removed, individual will owe any back balance (arrearages). If there are arrearages one may want to consider enrolling in Graduate PIPP Plus or consider another payment plan through the utility company.

Offers a program that makes monthly payments more affordable on a year-round basis for customers of regulated electric and/or gas service providers. When PIPP Plus payments are made on-time and in-full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time you pay your required monthly payment on-time and in-full, you no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount. You also receive a 1/24 credit toward any old debt. If you make full, on-time payments for 24 straight months, all of your arrearages will be eliminated.

Bethel Hope offers emergency financial assistance for electric bills, on a case by case basis.

Provides assistance with water bills. Assistance is generally limited to $200. Assistance may be used to help prevent utility disconnection.

Offers an affordable, reliable Internet option for low-income households.

Provides limited financial assistance with up to $150 for rent or up to $75 for utility bills when funds are available.

Provides an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of the household income for eligible households. PIPP is available for both AEP and Columbia Gas.