Winter heat help available for income-eligible locals
The Ohio Department of Development and Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission will help income-eligible Ohioans stay warm during the winter months.
Through March 31 income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance with utilities facing disconnection and/or bulk fuels or assistance paying for heating system repairs through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members and 60% of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $54,600.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 330-674-6479.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
—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.
Eligible households can receive up to $175 if they are a client of a regulated utility or $750 if they are a client of an unregulated utility such as electric cooperatives. The main heating source and/or related electric service must be either in disconnect status, have been terminated, need to establish new service, need to transfer service, or have 25% or less of bulk fuel supply remaining, or heating unit repair/replacement is needed. The assistance is applied to their utility bill and/or applied to the heating system repair costs. An appointment no-show may result in utilities being shut off.
For more information about the Winter Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, call Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission at 330-674-6479. To be connected to your local energy-assistance provider, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call 800-282-0880.