The Ohio Development Services Agency and Highland County Community Action Org., Inc. will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1st, 2019 until August 31st, 2019.

To apply for the program, customers are required to schedule an appointment with Highland County -Community Action Org., Inc. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 937-393-3458

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

  • copies of their most recent energy bills
  • a 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).

Last year more than 680 families in Highland County Community Action Org., Inc. were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

“Without the air conditioner Community Action gave me, I’m not sure I would have been able to breathe in this heat. My COPD makes summer time here so bad.”

“They helped me pay an electric bill that was so high! On my fixed income, there’s no way I could have paid it and I’d have lost my electric.”

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 can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program but are encouraged to work with Highland County Community Action Org., Inc.  to identify other opportunities for assistance. For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program, contact Highland County Community Action Org., inc. at 937-393-3458.  For more information about energy assistance programs call (800)282-0880, Monday through Friday (hearing impaired customers may dial 711 for assistance) and for a list of energy assistance providers select option 2, or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Highland County Community Action Org., Inc. Contact:
Christi Hauke, 937-393-3458, christi@hccao.org

Ohio Development Services Agency Contact:
Penny Martin (614) 644-8774
Penny.Martin@development.ohio.gov