Client Appeal Process

Clients have 30 days from the date they receive their eligibility or benefit notification to appeal decisions made regarding their Energy Assistance Application for HEAP, WCP, SCP, and PIPP. Clients must be informed of this right when they receive their application and again in their notification letter.

All appeals must be submitted in writing (letter or email) with supporting documentation attached to the EAP’s HEAP coordinator. The appeal review must be completed within 30 days from the date of the client’s appeal request.

Local Level Energy Assistance Programs - Written Appeal
Clients have 30 days from the date they receive their benefit notification to appeal decisions made regarding their Energy Assistance Application. All appeals must be submitted in writing (letter or email), with supporting documentation attached, to the local EAP. The client appealing the decision must submit any applicable supporting documentation which could result in the initial decision being reversed or modified. The appeal review must be completed within 30 days from the date of the client’s appeal request. The client must be notified of the decision made by the EAP within 10 days of the decision.

Local Level Energy Assistance Programs - Hearing
Clients who were denied during the Written Appeal process may request a formal hearing within 30 days of the denial of the Written Appeal. The client must submit a written request (letter or email) for a formal hearing. The request is to be made to the executive director of the EAP. The EAP shall schedule a hearing within 30 days of the receipt of the notification of a request for a hearing. The hearing shall be held at a mutually convenient place and a hearing officer shall be appointed by the EAP. The hearing officer may be a staff member of the EAP who was not involved in the decision that is being appealed.  The client must be notified of the EAP’s decision regarding the appeal within 10 days of the date of the hearing.

State Level Energy Assistance Programs - Appeal
If the client wishes to pursue a further appeal, they must submit a State Level Appeal to the Ohio Department of Development (Development) within 30 days of the final hearing decision rendered at the EAP. Appeal requests must be made in writing to Development. The appeal request may be mailed to: 
Ohio Department of Development Office of Community Assistance, Appeals P.O. Box 2169
Columbus, Ohio 43216
or faxed to 614-387-2718 Attention: Appeals
or email to [email protected]

Development will only review State Level Appeals which have been denied at both the Local Level Energy Assistance Programs Written Appeal and Hearing process and contain new information, or information not considered during the Local Level Written Appeal and Hearing process. The appeal request must contain all the following information: 
• Client's name. • Address. • Telephone number. • Client number (if available). • Reason for the appeal. • Supporting documentation. • Client's signature. A decision on the appeal will be made within 30 days of receipt of the appeal request. The client will be notified within 10 days of Development’s decision.