Summer Crisis Program to get underway July 1
The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program helps eligible Ohioans pay an electric bill, purchase an air-conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air-conditioning repairs.
Beginning July 1, the Ohio Development Services Agency and HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action 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,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency. “We’re working with HARCATUS every day to help Ohioans in need.”
In 2019 more than 270 families in Harrison, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
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 and more. Low-income 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 eligible for assistance.
Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application prior to their required appointment. HARCATUS will continue, until further notice, to provide assistance through telephone interviews and no-contact methods of furnishing necessary documentation. The Family Support Center offices are still closed to the public.
Eligible low-income 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, to purchase an air-conditioning unit or fan, or to 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.
Also new this year, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance toward their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment or 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, what is needed to apply and to schedule a telephone appointment, call HARCATUS Family Support at 1-855-806-9650. For more information about Energy Assistance Programs, call 800-282-0880 Monday through Friday (hearing-impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance). For a list of energy-assistance providers, select option two or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.