Heating assistance available
Assistance is available to help with home energy bills.
The Ohio Department of Development and HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization Inc. want to remind Ohioans assistance is available to help with home energy bills.
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines pay their heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring services, establishing new services or have a PIPP default with a disconnection notice at or below 25% fuel also may be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, which started Nov. 1.
Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local energy-assistance provider. Individuals will need to have copies of the following documents to include with their application:
—Most recent utility bills.
—A list of all household members including birth dates and Social Security numbers.
—Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members or 12 months for certain income types.
—Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
—Proof of disability if applicable.
HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1. If in need of immediate assistance with energy bills, contact your local energy-assistance provider. A list of providers can be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis program must be received by March 31. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31. Visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or schedule a Winter Crisis appointment with HARCATUS by calling 855-806-9650.