Some Ohioans can keep their summer electric bills cool by signing up for the HEAP Summer Crisis Program

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(WJW) — A summertime program that helps low-income Ohioans pay their electric bills or buy or make repairs to their air conditioners is open now.

The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program , Ohio’s federally funded energy assistance program for the summertime, started on July 1 and ends on Sept. 30.

Who qualifies for energy assistance in Ohio

Ohioans must have a gross annual income that is at or below 175% of federal income guidelines, ranging from $26,355 per year for a single person ($2,196.25 for one month) to $82,845 per year for a household of seven people ($6,903.75 for one month).

For households with eight or more people, the limit is 60% of the state’s median income, which ranges from $90,515 for a household of eight ($7,542.92 for one month) to $98,386 for a household of 12 ($8,198.83 for one month).

Applicants must also meet at least one other requirement:

• Their household has a resident who is age 60 or older
• They can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is necessary for a resident’s health
• They’ve received an electricity disconnection notice; the electricity has already been shut off; or the household is trying to get new electric service
• They’re enrolled in a Percentage of Income Payment Plans, or PIPP, for the first time or have defaulted on a PIPP

How it works and how to sign up

There are three ways to apply: in-person, by mail or online .

To sign up in person, reach out to your local community action agency. Here’s a directory . They’re also available at local libraries or Jobs and Family Services offices.

Ohioans can also download an application here , and mail the completed form to: Office of Community Assistance, Home Energy Assistance Program, P.O. Box 1240, Columbus, OH 43216.

To complete the form, you’ll need:

• Proof of citizenship for each person in the household, including Social Security numbers and birth dates
• Proof of income for each person in the household from the last 30 days or 12 months (including any income benefits like Social Security or disability)
• Copies of the most recent utility bills
• Disability verification, if applicable

The amount applicants can receive depends on their income and the size of their household, among other factors. Applications take about 12 weeks to process.

Other energy assistance programs

Ohioans can also get help restoring or maintaining heat through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program , which ran from Nov. 1 to March 31 last year, offering a one-time benefit each heating season to pay for fuel bills or heating source. It can help keep the heat on or restore service or help with income-based payment plans.

They can also get help weatherizing their homes, making them more energy efficient, through the Home Weatherization Assistance Program .

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