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.
STEPS to Stability will accept applications for utility assistance (Duke Energy only) from Nov. 2 – Nov. 30. The program is not currently accepting applications for home repairs and modifications.
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
The STEPS to Stability program is no longer accepting applications for home repairs or modification.
Questions?
If you have questions, please call COA at (513) 743-9000.
Utility Assistance
The STEPS to Stability program will accept applications for assistance with Duke Energy utility bills Nov. 2 – Nov. 30, 2026.
Funding is limited. Not all applicants may receive utility assistance.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must have your Duke Account Number available in order to apply. Applications will not be accepted without the Duke Account Number.
- You must NOT have received this assistance in 2025 or previously applied in 2026.
- 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 (Social Security is considered income):
- $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
There are two ways to apply:
- By phone: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Call (513) 721-1025, menu option 6
- Wait times may be long and callers will not be able to leave a message
- Online: Click here to apply online. The online application will not begin accepting applications until Nov. 2, 2026.
Funding is limited. Not all applicants may receive utility assistance.
Utility Assistance Important Questions & Answers
No. If you received a utility credit through this program last year or have already applied in 2026, you are not eligible to apply for assistance this year. We will review all received applications to ensure applicants meet this criteria.
No. If you already applied for and received utility assistance in 2026 – or if you received utility assistance through this program in 2025 – you are not eligible to apply for assistance again this year.
Eligible individuals may receive a credit on their Duke Energy Utility bill in the following amounts:
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- $500 if you are not eligible for assistance through HEAP
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- $250 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 the application window ends, 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 window ends. 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.