STEPS to Stability Hamilton County
What is the STEPS to Stability Program?
The STEPS to Stability Program was created by Council on Aging to help address common, one-time needs that can impact an older adult’s ability to remain independent in their homes and communities.
At this time, STEPS to Stability can help eligible Hamilton County older adults make home repairs or modifications that can help them age in place.
Steps to Stability will not begin accepting applications for utility assistance until May 27 (more information below).
Who is eligible?
The STEPS to Stability Program – Hamilton County is for county residents age 60 and older who meet certain income requirements.
Home Repairs and Modifications
If you received a home repair or modification through this program in 2025, you cannot apply for a repair or modification in 2026.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a Hamilton County residents age 60 and over
- Ineligible for other assistance programs
- Applicant must be the homeowner and reside in the home where the work will occur.
- Household income of 300% of poverty level or below, following the guidelines below:
- $47,880 for a household of one
- $64,920 for a household of two
- $81,960 for a household of three
- $99,000 for a household of four
How to apply for home repairs and modifications
Questions?
If you have questions, please call COA at (513) 743-9000.
Utility Assistance
Applications for assistance with Duke utility bills will be accepted starting May 27 at the 513Relief Bus Healthy Aging Summit. COA is partnering with the 513Relief Bus to host a series of events where older adults can apply in person for this assistance (see dates below).
If you received utility assistance through this program in 2025, you cannot apply again in 2026. You must have your Duke Energy account number in order to apply.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must have your Duke Account Number available in order to apply. Applications will not be accepted without the Duke Account Number.
- Hamilton County resident age 60 and over
- Older adult or other family member in the household currently paying the utility bill
- Ineligible for other assistance programs (excluding HEAP)
- Household income of 300% of poverty level or below, following the guidelines below:
- $47,880 for a household of one
- $64,920 for a household of two
- $81,960 for a household of three
- $99,000 for a household of four
How to apply for utility assistance
Please read all the information in this section (including the Important Questions & Answers) before applying.
There are three ways to apply for utility assistance. Regardless of how you apply, you must have your Duke Energy account number available.
- Attend a 513Relief Bus + COA Senior Day event to apply in person (see dates below)
- Apply online (online application will be available beginning May 27)
- Contact SOACT if you are not able to attend an event in person or use the online application form (contact information provided below)
Due to the high level of interest in this program, Council on Aging cannot accept applications for this program through its Aging and Disability Resource Center (call center). Please do not call COA to apply for utility assistance.
513Relief Bus + COA Senior Day Events
Council on Aging is partnering with the 513Relief Bus to host a series of Senior Day events across the county during the month of June to connect older adults with services, resources and assistance that can help improve their quality of life. Eligible older adults can apply for utility assistance at these event. You must have your Duke Energy account number available to apply.
| May 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | The Word Family Life Center (Word of Deliverance Church) | 693 Fresno Road, 45240 |
| June 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hirsch Recreation Center | 3630 Reading Rd, 45229 |
| June 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Powell Crosley YMCA | 9601 Winton Rd, 45231 |
| June 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Price Hill Branch Library | 970 Purcell Ave, 45205 |
| June 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Anderson Senior Center | 7970 Beechmont Ave, 45255 |
| June 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Sharonville Branch Library | 10980 Thornview Dr, 45241 |
| June 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Madisonville Recreation Center | 5320 Stewart Ave, 45227 |
| June 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | North Central Branch Library | 11109 Hamilton Ave, 45231 |
If you are unable to attend one of these events and/or need help completing the utility assistance application, please contact SOACT for assistance: (513) 861-2790, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays.
You may also apply for utility assistance using our online application form (the online application will be live starting May 27).
Utility Assistance Important Questions & Answers
No. If you received a utility credit through this program last year, you are not eligible to apply for assistance this year. We will review all received applications to ensure applicants meet this criteria.
Eligible individuals may receive a credit on their Duke Energy Utility bill in the following amounts:
- $500 if you are not eligible for assistance through HEAP
- $200 if you are also eligible for assistance through Ohio’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
You will receive a letter from Council on Aging informing you of the status of your application. We will not process applications until AFTER June 30, so it may be several weeks before you receive an update regarding your application status.
It is important to understand that funding for this program is limited and as a result, not all applicants may receive utility assistance. To ensure everyone has the same opportunity to receive utility assistance funding, we will not begin reviewing applications until after the application deadline, June 30. At that time, we will review all submitted applications to ensure they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. When the eligibility review is complete, we will use a fair, unbiased random selection process to distribute funds among eligible applicants. This will continue until all the funding is fully distributed.
While you wait to hear about your application status, it is important that you continue to pay your utility bill.
If you are not able to attend one of the 513Relief Bus + COA Senior Day events listed above, there are two other ways you may apply for assistance. Regardless of how you apply, you must have your Duke Energy account number available.
You may apply for utility assistance using our online application form (the online application will be live starting May 27).
If you are unable to complete the online application or attend an event, please contact SOACT for assistance:
- (513) 861-2790
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays only
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026.
We are grateful to be able to offer utility assistance to eligible Hamilton County older adults. However, this program generates a lot of interest from the community, resulting in thousands of phone calls (sometimes in one day) to our Aging and Disability Resource Center (our call center). This call volume results in long-wait times for people calling Council on Aging for assistance on a variety of issues (not just utility assistance). To keep our call center staff available to help callers with other important issues and to ensure a fair and equitable utility assistance application process, we will NOT be accepting applications for utility assistance through our call center (513) 721-1025. If you call this number to apply for utility assistance, you will be directed to one of the three available application methods – all of which are listed on this webpage. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.