(fy2026)Ohio LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan, FY 2026#
(fy2026)(1)1 Program Components#
THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)Use of this model plan is optional. However, the information requested is required in order to receive a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant.Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Section 1 Program Components Program Components, 2605(a), 2605(b)(1) - Assurance 1, 2605(c)(1)(C) 1.1 Check which components you will operate under the LIHEAP program. (Note: You must provide information for each component designated here as requested elsewhere in this plan.) Dates of Operation Start Date End Date Heating assistance 10/01/2025 05/31/2026 Cooling assistance Summer crisis assistance 07/01/2026 09/30/2026 Winter crisis assistance 11/01/2025 03/31/2026 Year-round crisis assistance Weatherization assistance 10/01/2025 06/30/2026 Provide further explanation for the dates of operation, if necessary Estimated Funding Allocation, 2604(C), 2605(k)(1), 2605(b)(9), 2605(b)(16) - Assurances 9 and 16 1.2 Estimate what amount of available LIHEAP funds will be used for each component that you will operate: The total of all percentages must add up to 100%. Percentage ( % ) Prior year totals Heating assistance 37.50% 0.00% Cooling assistance 0.00% 0.00% Summer crisis assistance 10.00% 0.00% Winter crisis assistance 20.00% 0.00% Year-round crisis assistance 0.00% 0.00% Weatherization assistance 15.00% 0.00% Carryover to the following federal fiscal year 6.50% 0.00% Administrative and planning costs 10.00% 0.00% Services to reduce home energy needs including needs assessment (Assurance 16) 1.00% 0.00% Used to develop and implement leveraging activities 0.00% 0.00% TOTAL 100.00% 0.00% Tribal grant recipients: direct-grant tribes, tribal organizations, or territories with allotments of $20,000 or less may use for planning and administration up to 20% of the funds payable. Grant recipients that are direct grant tribes, tribal organizations, or territories with allotments over $20,000 may use for planning and administration purposes up to 20% of the first $20,000 (or $4,000) plus 10% of the funds payable that exceeds $20,000. Any administrative costs in excess of these limits must be paid from non-federal sources. Alternate Use of Crisis Assistance Funds, 2605(c)(1)(C) 1.3 The funds reserved for winter crisis assistance that have not been expended by March 15 will be reprogrammed to: Heating assistance Cooling assistance Weatherization assistance Other (specify:) Summer Crisis Assistance Categorical Eligibility, 2605(b)(2)(A) - Assurance 2, 2605(c)(1)(A), 2605(b)(8A) - Assurance 8 1.4 Do you consider households categorically eligible if at least one household member receives at least one of the following categories of benefits in the left column below? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 1.4, you must complete the table below and answer questions 1.5 and 1.6. Heating Cooling Crisis Weatherization TANF Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No SSI Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No SNAP Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Means-tested Veterans Programs Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No 1.4a. Provide your definition of categorical eligibility. Please explain how households are categorically eligible (i.e, do all household members need to receive the benefits or just one member, is there a data exchange in place?) and how categorical eligibility streamlines the LIHEAP application process. 1.5 Do you automatically enroll households without a direct annual application? Yes No If Yes, explain: 1.6 How do you ensure there is no difference in the treatment of categorically eligible households from those not receiving other public assistance when determining eligibility and benefit amounts? SNAP Nominal Payments 1.7a Do you allocate LIHEAP funds toward a nominal payment for SNAP households? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 1.7a, you must provide a response to questions 1.7b, 1.7c, and 1.7d. 1.7b Amount of Nominal Assistance: $0.00 1.7c Frequency of Assistance Once Per Year Once every five years Other - Describe: 1.7d How do you confirm that the household receiving a nominal payment has an energy cost or need? Determination of Eligibility - Countable Income 1.8. In determining a household's income eligibility for LIHEAP, do you use gross income or net income? Gross Income Net Income Other - Describe 1.9. Select all the applicable forms of countable income used to determine a household's income eligibility for LIHEAP Wages Self - Employment Income Contract Income Payments from mortgage or Sales Contracts Unemployment insurance Strike Pay Social Security Administration (SSA ) benefits Including MediCare deduction Excluding MediCare deduction Supplemental Security Income (SSI ) Retirement / pension benefits General Assistance benefits Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits Loans that need to be repaid Cash gifts Savings account balance One-time lump-sum payments, such as rebates/credits, winnings from lotteries, refund deposits, etc. Jury duty compensation Rental income Income from employment through Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Income from work study programs Alimony Child support Interest, dividends, or royalties Commissions Legal settlements Insurance payments made directly to the insured Insurance payments made specifically for the repayment of a bill, debt, or estimate Veterans Administration (VA) benefits Earned income of a child under the age of 18 Balance of retirement, pension, or annuity accounts where funds cannot be withdrawn without a penalty. Income tax refunds Stipends from senior companion programs, such as VISTA Funds received by household for the care of a foster child Ameri-Corp Program payments for living allowances, earnings, and in-kind aid Reimbursements (for mileage, gas, lodging, meals, etc.) Other VA disability is excluded however VA pension is included If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here. 1.10 Do you have an online application process Yes No 1.10a If yes, describe the type of online application (Select all boxes that apply) A PDF version of the application is available online and can be downloaded, filled out and mailed in for processing. A state-wide online application that allows a customer to complete data entry and submit an application electronically for processing. One or more locally available online applications that allows a customer to complete data entry and submit an application electronically for processing. Online application that is also mobile friendly Other, please describe Please include a link(s) to a statewide application, if available: https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/apply-now-energy-assistance- programs 1.10b Can all program components be applied for online? Yes No If no, explain which components can and cannot be applied for online. 1.11 Do you have a process for conducting and completing applications by phone Yes No 1.12 Do you or any of your subrecipients require in person appointments in order to apply Yes No If yes, please provide more information regarding why in-person appointments are required and in what circumstances they are required. 1.13 How can applicants submit documentation for verification? Select all that apply: In-person Mail Email Portal application Other, please describe Hidden for Section 1
(fy2026-benefit-matrix)Ohio LIHEAP FY 2026 plan attachment: 2025 LIHEAP Benefit Matrix (HWAP transfer up to 25 percent)#
(fy2026-benefit-matrix)(page-1)Page 1#
DRAFT Funding: Date 5/1/2025 Projected Eligible Households 260,000
HEAP Allocation 43,000,000
HEAP Allocation + Weighted (Targeted Group) 47,000,000 $ $180.77 Target Factor (Weighted Benefit) 1.75 75% Max Poverty 175% Elderly 102,625 40.87% PIPP Plus Reduced Benefit 75.00% Disabled 121,332 48.32% Projected # of PIPP Plus Customer Receiving Reduced Benefit 213,506
82.12% 5 yrs or under 32,463 12.77% Allocation Remaining with PIPP Plus Reduced Benefit 15,579,815.65 $ O/ D / 5 UNDER 186,002 74.08% Max Benefit $441 Min Benefit $24 Gas/Elec Propane Oil/Kero Coal/Wood $319 $441 $441 $264 Max Percentage Credit 25.00 $29 $40 $40 $24 Min Percentage Credit 22.00 Income Range # of Hshlds % Below 75% 98,861 39.37% Last Year PIPP Plus and HEAP customers 206,195
75% to 100% 71,130 28.33% Last Year Total HEAP customers 251,097
101% to 125% 38,417 15.30% Percent of PIPP Plus customers for last year 82.12% 126% to 150% 28,224 11.24% 151% to 175% 14,465 5.76% 251,097 100.00% Income Household Size Projected Average Benefit $176,761,435.00 STATE OF OHIO, 2025 LIHEAP BENEFIT MATRIX , HWAP TRANSFER UP TO 25% (WAIVER) Max/Min Benefit By Fuel Type HEAP payment matrix helps to determine graduated HEAP benefits and constructed based the following criteria : Targeted Group Home Energy Cost or Need PIPP Plus Reduced Benefit Households on Percentage Income Payment Plan will receive reduced benefits Households falling at or beneath 50% of the poverty level will receive maximum benefits. Fuel Type (Type of fuel used and winter costs) Climate / region (Northern counties +6%, Southern Counties -6%) Income eligible households with a member 60 years of age or older and/or disabled or 5 years or under will receive increased benefits Households with at least one member of REGULAR HEAP POVERTY RATIO BREAKDOWN 8/4/2025 2:06 PM MATRIX 2025 - 25% HWAP TRANSFER WAIVER , 176,761,435 - STATE PLAN FINALIZATION - Master