Summer Crisis Program to End September 30

GLOUSTER – The Ohio Department of Development and Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) are once again offering assistance to help income-eligible Ohioans 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 Program.

To apply for the program, please schedule an appointment with HAPCAP. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (740) 868-1908 or visiting hapcap.org/heapappt. Applicants will have the option of an in-person or telephone appointment. A limited number of walk-in applicants will be served daily on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Applicants need to bring copies of the following documents to their 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 each
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household
• Proof of disability (if applicable).
• Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (If eligibility is a medical condition, you will need a statement from a licensed medical professional who is qualified under Ohio law to write prescriptions).

If proper documents are not available at appointment time this may result in delayed benefit processing times, or rescheduling of appointment.

Last year, more than 1,000 families in Hocking, Athens, and Perry Counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households that at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty guidelines. The household must also meet at least one of the following:

• With an older household member (60 years or older)
• Individual with documented medical condition
• Have a disconnect notice
• Have been shut off
• Are trying to establish new service on their electric bill

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 applied to their utility bill. Eligible households may receive up to $1,500 for central air conditioning repair. Alternatively, households may receive an air conditioning unit or fan. 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 $56,262.50.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact Sabrina Warren at sabrina.warren@hapcap.org.

For more information about HAPCAP’s other programs, please call (740) 767-4500 or email info@hapcap.org.

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