(OHIO) – The Ohio Department of Development and HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization, Inc. 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 July 1-Sept. 30, 2023.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with HARCATUS. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (855) 806-9650.

Clients 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 there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

Last year, more than 423 families in Harrison, Carroll, and Tuscarawas Counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

HARCATUS is grateful to serve the families in our three-county area who reach out. Our local county Community Services offices have the goal for Summer Crisis Program 2023 to help more. JoEllen Sanders, Community Services Director says, “I personally hope households will reach out. Our offices have the resources to not only assist with their electric bills but to also provide homes with fans and air conditioners, and help with the costs of central air repairs.”

Summer Program Eligibility

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new service on their electric bill or require air conditioning and fans. Medical 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, 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 HARCATUS local Community Services offices.  For Harrison County residents call (740) 942-8886, Carroll County residents call (330) 627-4101, and Tuscarawas County residents call (330) 343-8770. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov 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.

Audrey Mattevi, Reporting