Summer Crisis Program Helps Ohioans Stay Cool

The Ohio Development Services Agency will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months through their Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.  The program runs from July 1 through August 31, and provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Conditions may include lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma.

To apply for the program, customers are required to schedule an appointment with their local HEAP provider.  Click here for contact information.

Customers need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

• Most recent energy bill
• 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).

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the Summer Crisis Program.

Click here for information about the Summer Crisis Program benefits.