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STEUBENVILLE -- The Ohio Department of Development and Prime Time Office on Aging are continuing to help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during these final weeks of hot weather through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
The program assists in paying an electric bill or provides assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs.
The program will run through Sept. 30.
Eligible 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 either applied to their utility bill, to the purchase of an air conditioning unit or fan, or to pay for central air conditioning repairs.
Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance.
For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $52,500.
To apply, clients are required to schedule an appointment with the Community Action Council.
Phone appointments can be scheduled by calling (740) 996-9061.
Officials state all required paperwork should be submitted before the scheduled phone appointment.
Clients will need to bring in copies of the following documents to their in-person appointments: Copies of their most recent energy bill; 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; and physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health if there isn't a household member 60 or older.
The program assists low-income households which have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning or homes which have an older household member 60 years of age or older that can provide a physician's documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health.
Conditions such as lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma apply.
Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus program, otherwise referred to as PIPP, who meet the above criteria, may be eligible for assistance toward default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs or may receive an air conditioning unit or fan.
For information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact the Prime Time Office of Aging at (740) 314-5197.
To be connected to local energy assistance providers, visit the website www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880.