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Community Action Agency's HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP) begins July 3 and runs through Sept. 30. Appointments for the HEAP Summer Crisis will begin July 3 and may be made by calling the automated phone service at 330-892-8880. Scheduled appointments will be Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be same-day appointments only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the duration of the program. All appointments will be at the agency. The agency will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day. All Friday appointments are on a first-come first-serve basis until all appointments are filled for the day.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older) or households that can provide medical documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health. This year, households that have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new electric service, or have PIPP default are also eligible.
The HEAP Summer Crisis Program allows for a one-time electric utility payment for eligible households. This assistance must result in the continuation of electric service for at least 30 days. Clients may receive an air conditioner and/or fan(s), or central air conditioning unit repairs. The client must be at least partially responsible for their electric bill to obtain Summer Crisis assistance. Account numbers are required for utility payments. For those who rent and have the bill in the landlord's name, they may receive assistance if they provide documentation showing that they are responsible for the bill. Tenant payments for electricity must be made separately from rent payments. Eligible households can receive up to $500 in electric assistance if they are a customer of a regulated electric utility or up to $800 in electric assistance if they are a customer of unregulated electric utilities, such as cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance that will be applied to their utility bill will be separate from any additional benefits (to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan(s), or to pay for central air conditioning repairs). To be eligible for an air conditioning unit or fan, clients must not have received one in 2020, 2021 or 2022.
Applications can be scheduled through the automated system by calling 330-892-8880. The client must wait for a confirmation code at the end of the call to secure the appointment. The client will have a face-to-face interview for the appointment, at the agency, for the date and time scheduled. The client will be required to provide the required documents to the agency to complete the application. If all required documents are not provided, the application may not be completed. The client will need to schedule a return.
Applicants will need to provide proof of income for the past 30 days for all members of the household who are 18 years or older, which includes wages, Social Security income (even if received on behalf of a minor), pensions, cash assistance, odd jobs, self-employment, utility assistance checks, etc. In some cases, documentation for sources of income that do not count (such as child support, OWF, TANF, and assistance from non-household members) will be needed. Households with odd jobs, self-employment, and/or seasonal work (ex: bus drivers, teachers, landscaping, construction, etc.) must provide 12 months of income documentation. Households that have odd jobs and/or delivery services, (Ex: DoorDash), and/or self-employment income must also provide their most recent IRS tax transcript or IRS form 1040 and all supporting schedules. Clients provide proof that taxes were filed ex: form 9325). Household members claiming no income may be required to bring an IRS tax transcript or a verification of their non-filing status. They may contact the IRS at 800-908-9946. The application also requires proof of citizenship (birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc.) and Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members. A current gas and electric bill is needed, even if the utility is in someone else's name. Those that heat with bulk fuel must know the size of their bulk fuel tank(s). For renters, the landlord's name, street address, and phone number are required. Households receiving rental assistance must provide their most recent housing assistance agreement. Those who do not provide all required documentation, their application will remain incomplete until sufficient documentation is provided.
Those who have zero income or the income provided is below the income threshold, additional documentation will need to be provided to prove the ability to exist.
Customers not receiving the standard Social Security amounts will be required to provide their award letter, with social security statement on the letter and the calculation page, showing they are not receiving the standard amount.
Proof of address may be requested for individuals no longer living in the home from a prior application.
Households with a member, who is classified as permanently and totally disabled, must provide proof of disability at the time of the interview. Acceptable documentation includes either a doctor's statement or income received because of disability (SSDI, SSI, VA Pension, VA Disability, Workers' Compensation, etc.).
Making an appointment will not stop a pending disconnection.
Any household that declares that there is no household income other than assistance from family or friends must provide a letter signed by the family member or friend that has been providing assistance. This letter must be signed and dated with the person providing the assistance's name, address, and phone number and contain current assistance information (amount and frequency). For detailed guidelines, visit www.caaofcc.org.
Any information provided by customers will be retained and may be shared with the utility companies.
Applications for PIPP, HEAP, and Summer Crisis can be filled out online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. Applicants will need to set up an account to complete the online application. Applicants need to ensure required documents are available to upload during the application process. Summer Crisis applications can be started but cannot be completed online. All Summer Crisis applicants must have a face-to-face interview with a HEAP intake worker at the agency with an adult household member, 18 years of age or older.
For information call 330-424-4013.