Summer Crisis Program Begins July 1
More than 44,000 Ohio households served in 2023
The Ohio Department of Development and the Area Agency on Aging, Region 9 are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.
From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, those with an elderly household member (60 years or older), or who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent 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. Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 44,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $13.4 million in benefits.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Community Action Council. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-996-9061 or emailing [email protected].
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
Ohioans 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 and/or fan. For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, older Ohioans my contact the Area Agency on Aging, Region 9 at (800) 945-4250. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider visit or call (800) 282-0880.
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.
From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, those with an elderly household member (60 years or older), or who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent 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. Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 44,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $13.4 million in benefits.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Community Action Council. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-996-9061 or emailing [email protected].
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
- 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).
Ohioans 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 and/or fan. For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, older Ohioans my contact the Area Agency on Aging, Region 9 at (800) 945-4250. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider visit or call (800) 282-0880.
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.
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For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2024 |
For More Information, Contact:
Mason Waldvogel [email protected] Prime Time Office on Aging Contact: Cindy McGuire [email protected] (740) 314-5197 |
Apply for the HEAP Assistance Program
Ohio’s Energy Assistance Programs can help income eligible Ohioans manage their utility bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and emergency HEAP provide the benefit directly to a customer’s utility bill. The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) is an extended payment plan in which customers pay a percentage of their income toward their utility bill each month. If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home to help lower your energy bills, the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) or Electric Partnership Program (EPP) can help. For HWAP and EPP, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to find your local provider and contact them for additional information. You can apply for the energy assistance programs by visiting energyhelp.ohio.gov and completing the online application, by completing this application and mailing it in, or by scheduling an appointment with your local energy assistance provider or HWAP/EPP provider. Applications completed online or by mail can take up to 12 weeks to process.
Here’s what you’ll need to complete this application:
• Proof of citizenship for each member of household.
• Proof of income for each member of household for either the previous 30 days or 12 months.
• Copies of your most recent utility bills.
• Disability verification (if applicable).
A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy is customarily purchased in common or who make undesignated payments for energy in the form of rent (Per Section 2603 (5) of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1981). If you live in federally subsidized housing and have a utility bill in your name, you may be eligible for assistance. A copy of the utility bill or documentation of responsibility (example: copy of your rental agreement/lease or signed letter from your landlord) is required. For a dwelling unit to be eligible for energy assistance benefits, its primary heat source must be:
• A regulated or unregulated utility (gas and electric).
• A permanent, free-standing fuel tank (oil and propane).
• A legal fireplace (wood).
• A legally vented wood/coal stove or furnace.
Residents of any licensed medical facility (hospital, skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility) or publicly operated community residence (example: YMCA) are not eligible. Boarding/rooming houses, group homes or emergency shelters are also not eligible.
If eligible, the HEAP benefit amount will depend on federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income and the main fuel used. In most cases, benefits are applied directly to the heating bill by the utility company. If you are reverifying your PIPP amount, it will be based on either 10% or 5% of your total household income for the past 30 days, depending on your heating source.
These are the programs you can apply for with this application:
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
• Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP).
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
Here’s what you’ll need to complete this application:
• Proof of citizenship for each member of household.
• Proof of income for each member of household for either the previous 30 days or 12 months.
• Copies of your most recent utility bills.
• Disability verification (if applicable).
A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy is customarily purchased in common or who make undesignated payments for energy in the form of rent (Per Section 2603 (5) of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1981). If you live in federally subsidized housing and have a utility bill in your name, you may be eligible for assistance. A copy of the utility bill or documentation of responsibility (example: copy of your rental agreement/lease or signed letter from your landlord) is required. For a dwelling unit to be eligible for energy assistance benefits, its primary heat source must be:
• A regulated or unregulated utility (gas and electric).
• A permanent, free-standing fuel tank (oil and propane).
• A legal fireplace (wood).
• A legally vented wood/coal stove or furnace.
Residents of any licensed medical facility (hospital, skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility) or publicly operated community residence (example: YMCA) are not eligible. Boarding/rooming houses, group homes or emergency shelters are also not eligible.
If eligible, the HEAP benefit amount will depend on federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income and the main fuel used. In most cases, benefits are applied directly to the heating bill by the utility company. If you are reverifying your PIPP amount, it will be based on either 10% or 5% of your total household income for the past 30 days, depending on your heating source.
These are the programs you can apply for with this application:
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
• Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP).
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
Ways to Apply
Appointment
- Apply in person or over the phone through your local Energy Assistance Provider. When you apply, you will need to complete the Energy Assistance Application.
Applications are also available at your local Energy Assistance Provider, local libraries, county departments of Job and Family Services, and Area Agencies on Aging. Don’t forget to sign the application. Not signing the application will delay the application process.
Please note: There is a 12-week processing time for both online and mailed applications.
Here's what you'll need to apply:
- Proof of income for each household member. Income includes: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Social Security, Pension, Alimony, Wages, Self-employment, Unemployment, etc.
- Copies of your most recent utility bills
- A list of all household members, including Social Security numbers and birth dates
- Proof of U.S. citizenship/legal residency for all household members. Documents that are accepted to prove U.S. citizenship/legal residency include: a Social Security Card, birth certificate, U.S. Passport, naturalization paper/certification of citizenship, permanent VISA, or INS ID Card.
You will need a scanned copy or photo of your proof of income, recent utility bills, and proof of citizenship to upload to the application.
If you have questions about the programs or the application, please call (800) 282-0880. Hearing impaired customers call 711.
If you have questions about the programs or the application, please call (800) 282-0880. Hearing impaired customers call 711.
How can I check the status of my application?
To check the status of your application, please visit energyhelp.ohio.gov and create an account.
Please note: HEAP benefits will be applied to your utility bill starting in January 2024.
If you have questions, please contact your local energy assistance provider or send a message by visiting energyhelp.ohio.gov and clicking “contact us.”
To check the status of your application, please visit energyhelp.ohio.gov and create an account.
Please note: HEAP benefits will be applied to your utility bill starting in January 2024.
If you have questions, please contact your local energy assistance provider or send a message by visiting energyhelp.ohio.gov and clicking “contact us.”
