What it is
PIPP Plus is an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of your household income rather than your actual usage.
- If you heat with gas: you pay 5% of your monthly gross income to the gas company and 5% to the electric company.
- If you heat with electricity: you pay 10% of your monthly gross income to the electric company.
- The minimum monthly payment is $10.
Your energy assistance provider or utility will confirm your exact PIPP Plus installment. When you pay on time and in full each month, a portion of your old balance is also forgiven — 24 on-time, in-full payments eliminate the outstanding balance entirely. (As of April 2026 the program is administered by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services; in Cuyahoga County the local provider is Step Forward.)
Important
Once enrolled, you must pay your installment every month, in full and on time — missed payments can remove you from the program. Re-verification of income is required every year, and we can handle that with you.
How Gesher helps
PIPP has complex eligibility rules and program requirements. Our trained staff can help ensure your application is completed accurately to help avoid unnecessary delays or denials, and we can estimate your monthly PIPP payment before you enroll so there are no surprises.