Cooling Assistance/Summer Crisis Program Continues | August 4, 2023

COOLING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AT HAPCAP

GLOUSTER – The Ohio Department of Development and Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) 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 fans, air conditioning, or central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1 - September 30, 2023.

To apply for the program, please schedule an appointment with HAPCAP. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (740) 868-1908. 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 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 eligibility is a medical condition, you will need a statement from a licensed medical professional who is qualified under Ohio law to write prescriptions).

Last year, more than 1,072 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
• Clients who are enrolling the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) for the first time or have a PIPP increase

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 $52,500.00.

Also, 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 Robin Hampton at robin.hampton@hapcap.org.

For more information about HAPCAP’s other programs, please get in touch with Valerie Addis at (740) 767-4500 or email info@hapcap.org.

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