LIMA, OH (WLIO) - With the warm and mild conditions of late, it's hard to think that old man winter is just around the corner.
The Winter Crisis Program through West Ohio Community Action Partnership is underway. It's a federally funded program that assists income-eligible individuals with heating costs and furnace repairs during the winter months. WOCAP officials say there are more people in need of heating assistance this year and they are here to help.
"It's 175% of the poverty guidelines. So a lot of people can qualify and even if you've never used the service before it's very very helpful. It will get you out of a disconnect status if you're already disconnected, it can help get your services turned back on so you will have heat for the winter," explained Kim Bruns, community service director at WOCAP.
Bruns says you will need to make an appointment by calling the number on your screen. Last year more than 1,100 families in Allen, Auglaize, and Mercer Counties were assisted through the Winter Crisis Program.
Press Release from the Ohio Department of Development and WOCAP: The Ohio Department of Development and West Ohio Community Action Partnership want to remind Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring services, establishing new services, have a PIPP default with a disconnection notice or at or below 25% fuel, may also be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, available beginning November 1, 2022.
Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application, or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider. Individuals will need to have copies of the following documents to include with their application:
- Most recent utility bills
- A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers)
- Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after January 1st. If you need immediate assistance with your energy bills, please contact your local Energy Assistance Provider. A list of providers can be found at energyhelp.ohio.gov.
Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis program must be received by March 31, 2023. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2023. For more information on the programs, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or call your local Energy Assistance Provider.
Call 419-516-0063 to schedule an appointment for Allen, Auglaize, and Mercer counties or call 419-227-2586 for more information.
