MARION/MORROW/CRAWFORD—The Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Heartland CAC will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or providing assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1-Sept. 30, 2023.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Ohio Heartland CAC. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 419-718-0047 or online at app.capappointments.com.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their Summer Crisis Program appointment:

• Copies of their most recent energy
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for
• Proof of 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, over 1,000 families in Crawford, Marion and Morrow counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with (1) an older household member (60 years or older), or (2) a household member who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health, (3) have a disconnect notice, (4) have been shut off, (5) are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or (6) require air conditioning. Health conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.

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 monetary assistance is applied to their electric utility bill. Customers may be eligible for an air conditioning unit and/or fan, or up to $1,500 toward central air conditioning repairs (must be a homeowner to receive 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 $52,500.00.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program, who meet the above criteria, may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, 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 and what is needed to apply, contact Ohio Heartland CAC for Crawford County at 419-468-5121, Marion County at 740-383-2154 and Morrow County at 419-946-2009.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.