The Ohio Department of Development and Northwestern Ohio Community Action 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 assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs.

The program runs from until Sept. 30.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Northwestern Ohio Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 419-219-4641

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).

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. 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 assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for 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 $48,562.50.

Also, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) 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 locally, contact Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission at 419-337-8601. Additional information can be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance).