The Illuminating Company

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus)

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) is an extended payment arrangement that allows regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of a customer's household income. Eligible customers have a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.

Customers enrolled in this program must pay a percentage of their household income - the PIPP Plus Amount - every month of the year. Customers who do not heat their homes with electricity will be required to pay 6 percent of their gross monthly household income each month or $10 (whichever is more). Customers who heat their homes with electricity will be required to pay 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month or $10 (whichever is more).

Customers who are no longer eligible for PIPP Plus because of their household income may participate in the PIPP Arrearage Crediting (PAC) plan. PAC helps customers pay off the amount in arrears that was deferred while enrolled in PIPP Plus.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact Ohio Development Service Agency at 800-282-0880
• Ohio Development Service Agency's Website*

More Information: 

• PIPP Plus Brochure

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) through a network of local community action agencies. HEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills.

HEAP has two components:
1. HEAP Cash Program - Annual grant to help with heating costs.
2. HEAP Emergency Program - Provides an emergency payment (once per heating season) for qualified low-income customers. The payment must be used to avoid a shutoff or restore electric service. Application dates are October through April (Winter Crisis) and July through August (Summer Crisis).

To Apply:

• Contact Ohio Development Service Agency 800-282-0880
• Ohio Development Service Agency's Website*

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) Fuel Fund

OPAE Fuel Fund provides financial assistance to eligible low- to moderate-income customers to help pay their electric bills.  Customers must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines and must apply for the HEAP or HEAP Crisis program, if available.  Customer may apply for OPAE Fuel Fund, HEAP and HEAP Crisis at their local HEAP provider.  The OPAE Fuel Fund opens in March and ends when the funds are exhausted.

Program Availability: Opens March 1 and remains open until funds are exhausted

To Apply:

• Contact Ohio Development Service Agency at 800-282-0880
• Ohio Development Service Agency's Website*

Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP)

CO-OP is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bills. Program funding is provided by The Illuminating Company customers and company employees. The distribution of funds is administered by the Cleveland Salvation Army.  
 

To Apply: Contact Cleveland Salvation Army at 216-861-8185

Make a Contribution: CO-OP Contribution Form

Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program

The Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Program is designed to assist residential customers with the payment of their electric bill to maintain their service, or to assist in establishing service for new electric service applicants who have an unpaid bill from a previous residence.  This program support is provided through FirstEnergy corporate funds.  Applicants for grant assistance must meet certain household income and other program qualification requirements.  Approved grants are applied directly to utility bills.  

Program Availability: Open year-round or until funds are exhausted

To Apply: 

• CHN Housing Partners - 216-350-8008
  2999 Payne Avenue, Suite 306
  Cleveland, OH 44114
• Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland (CEOGC) - 216-350-8008 
  1801 Superior Avenue
  Cleveland, OH 44114

211 Helpline

This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.

Program Availability: Open year-round

Contact:

• Call 211 
• Text your ZIP Code to 898211
• 211 Website*

Extended Due Date

If you are at least 60 years or receive a Social Security or pension check, or if you receive disability assistance, we can extend your payment due date. In order to be eligible for this option, your account must be current and remain current or the option may be removed from your account.
 

Contact: Illuminating Company - Email or call 1-800-589-3101

Payment Arrangements

If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange affordable installments to be paid with your monthly bill.  Payment arrangements help maintain your electric service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation.
 

To Apply: 

• Log in to your account or register online to see if you are eligible for an installment plan or
• Contact Illuminating Company via Email or call 1-800-589-3101

Third-Party Notification

Select a third party (a friend, relative, clergy, or social service agency) to be notified, along with yourself, if your electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay overdue bills but can remind you of pending disconnection and help you make payment arrangements.
 

Contact: Illuminating Company - Email or call 1-800-589-3101

Military Deferred Payment Program

This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all or a part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine payment arrangements for the balance owed.

Customers who have switched to an alternative generation supplier may defer the charges paid to their supplier only if that supplier offers a deferred payment program. If your supplier does not offer a deferred payment program, the supplier charges must be paid each month.

Contact: Illuminating Company - Email or call 1-800-589-3101