COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Ohio families facing the summer heat can once again receive assistance with cooling costs through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP), administered by the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission (OHCAC).

The program, running from July 1 through Sept. 30, offers help to income-eligible Ohioans for electric bills, obtaining air conditioners or fans, or making repairs to central air conditioning units.

“We’re proud to partner with community action agencies across the state to deliver this critical support during the hottest months of the year,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Time after time, this program has proven to be a vital lifeline for countless Ohioans when temperatures start to rise.”

The Summer Crisis Program is designed to assist low-income households, particularly those with a disconnection notice, shut-off service, or those trying to establish new electric service. It also supports households with a person aged 60 or older, or individuals who can provide physician documentation indicating a medical need for cooling assistance, such as lung disease, COPD, or asthma.

To qualify, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for families up to eight members, or 60% of the State Median Income for families of nine or more. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $56,262.50.

Last year, the program provided $13.5 million in benefits, assisting over 44,000 Ohio households.

This year marks the launch of a new, streamlined online portal at energyhelp.ohio.gov, designed to make applying for assistance and managing accounts easier. Users must first register for an OHID account to securely access their HEAP account.

“We know that when someone is facing a crisis, every minute counts,” Mihalik said. “This new online system makes it faster and easier for Ohioans to apply for help — so they can get the support they need, when they need it most.”

The OHID account registration takes less than seven minutes and involves visiting energyhelp.ohio.gov, clicking “Log into the EA portal,” then “Create an OHID,” and following the six-step creation process, including setting up multi-factor authentication for security.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with OHCAC by calling 419-928-3236. Necessary documents for the appointment include recent energy bills, a list of all household members with proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members, proof of disability (if applicable), physician documentation for cooling assistance if medically necessary, and a disconnect notice (if applicable).

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the Summer Crisis Program eligibility criteria (e.g., documented medical condition, over 60, disconnection notice) may also be eligible for assistance.

For more information or to connect with a local Energy Assistance Provider, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or call 800-282-0880.