GLCAP ready to help area residents to stay cool

FREMONT - Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) will help eligible Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County residents stay cool during the summer months through the Summer Crisis Program, taking place now through Sept. 30.

Utility bill aid offered through crisis program

The Summer Crisis Program http://www.glcap.org/summercooling provides utility bill assistance, central air repairs, or air conditioning units or fans to qualifying households. The program assists households with a senior member age 60 or older, or a member with physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for his or her health. The program also helps households that have a disconnect notice or already have a utility shut-off, or households that are trying to establish new service on their electric bill.

Those enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit or fan.

Households with up to seven members must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance (e.g. $26,355 annual income/household of one; $54,600 annual income/family of four). For a family of eight or more, annual income must be 60% of the State Median Income.

Documents needed to qualify for help

Clients need to bring the following documents to their appointments:

● 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).

Last year, GLCAP assisted 796 families in Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties through the Summer Crisis Program.

For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, to apply, call 567-432-5046.

The News-Messenger/News Herald