LANCASTER – The Ohio Department of Development and the Lancaster Fairfield County Community Action Agency will help income-eligible Ohioans stay warm during the cold winter months.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is it?
The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program helps income-eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills and can assist with fuel tank installation, fuel tank testing and furnace repairs. The program runs from November 1 to March 31.
To sign up for the program, clients must make a phone appointment with Lancaster Fairfield Community Action Agency. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-777-9055 or online at https://app.capappointments.com/.
What do I need to apply?
When applying for the program, applicants must provide the following documentation.
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Income verification for the past 30 days
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If you are self-employed, a ledger showing income and expenses for the past twelve months, and the most recently filed tax forms and schedules, or the most recent IRS account transcript.
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If you have seasonal work, pay slips for the last twelve months or a seasonal employment form for employment agencies are required.
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Social Security cards, birth certificates or other proof of citizenship for all household members
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Social Security numbers for all household members.
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Most recent gas and electric bills, propane/heating oil bill (even if no assistance is required for either service).
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If disabled: proof of disability
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If you have no income, you need to know how you have maintained your household. (Food stamps, Metropolitan Housing, detailed letter of support if you receive financial assistance from someone outside the household, etc.)
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HEAP application (can be obtained from the agency or at faircaa.org/heap)
Households can begin their application at https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/energy-assistance/, but must make an appointment for a telephone interview.
How does it help?
Last year, more than 1,010 families in Fairfield County were helped through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.
The Winter Crisis Program helps low-income households who have been disconnected (or have a pending notice of disconnection of gas and/or electricity), need to set up a new service, pay for the switching service, have a PIPP standard, 25% (or less) remaining stock of bulk fuel or wood. This program can also help with furnace repairs for homeowners with qualifying incomes.
Eligible households can receive up to $175 if they are customers of a regulated utility, or $750 if they are customers of non-regulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipalities. The assistance is applied directly to their electricity and/or gas bill. Households can also get help with a bulk fuel/wood/coal allowance if they have less than 25% left. The maximum benefit for bulk fuels is $1,200 and the maximum benefit for coal and wood is $650. Ohioans must have a gross income of 175% or less of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four, the annual income must be $52,500 or less.
For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program and what is required to apply, please contact Lancaster Fairfield Community Action at 740-653-4146. To connect with 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.
This article originally appeared in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: What you need to know about getting help for heating bills
