HEAP Summer Crisis Program has started

0

The Ohio Development Services Agency and Bridges Community Action Partnership will help income-eligible Ohioans maintain their utility service through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program. The program helps eligible Ohioans pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. This year, the program will run from July 1 until Sept. 30.

“This year, we’ve extended the length of the program and expanded eligibility requirements so we can help more Ohioans during this health crisis,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency, said. “We’re working with Bridges Community Action Partnership every day to help Ohioans in need.”

Customers need to take copies of the following documents to the appointment:

-Copies of their most recent energy bills

-A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member

-Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members

-Proof of disability (if applicable)

-Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Examples of conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, etc. This year, households that were diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new service on their electric bill are also eligible for assistance.

Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application prior to their required appointment. This year appointments can be held over the phone or in person at Bridges Community Action Partnership. To schedule an appointment, call 937-772-9164.

Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $45,850.00.

Also new this year, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, contact Bridges Community Action Partnership at 937-772-9164. Additional information can be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling 800-282-0880.

Submitted story

Submitted by Bridges Community Action Partnership, serving Delaware, Madison, Union, Champaign, Logan and Shelby counties.

No posts to display