Ohio News Network and staff report

Columbus, OH – The HEAP Summer Crisis Program begins today in Ohio, helping qualified, low-income residents secure cooling assistance during the hottest days of the year.

Temperatures are expected to climb this week, which will leave many Ohioans struggling to beat the heat. But a helping hand can help qualified residents keep cool and safe. Summer Blakeny with the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership says the HEAP Summer Crisis Program provides assistance for low-income households that have a family member over the age of 60 or have a documented medical condition.

“We’re probably going to have a hotter summer than we did last year, which was pretty intense, and we have our mature population who are in their homes and their blood pressure is rising or they’re living with asthma. We just want to do whatever we can to help keep you healthy,” said Blakeny.

The program provides a one-time benefit up to 175 dollars toward the purchase of an air conditioner or fan, or to be put toward an electric bill. To qualify, households must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines, which is about 40-thousand dollars for a family of four. The program starts today (July 1) and runs through August 31st.

Blakeny says each year she’s always surprised at the number of people who did not know about the program or that they can benefit from it.

“There’s some who have had job losses, and they have different income level than they did a couple of years ago, and they didn’t know this kind of assistance was available to them based on their new situation.”

Blakeny says the Summer Crisis Program couples well with the PIPP Plus Program, another benefit provided by the Office of Community Assistance.

“Based off your monthly income, you are set on a payment program with your utility company. You’re still responsible, but it is something here to make things a little bit easier for those who have more limited means than others.”

To apply for the Summer Crisis Program, residents need to contact their local community action agency or call the Ohio Development Services Agency consumer hotline at 1-800-282-0880.

Photo credit: Mary Kuhlman