For Immediate Release: March 30, 2020	Highland County Community Action Org., Inc.    Christi Hauke, 937-393-3458   Ohio Development Services Agency Contact: Todd Walker (614) 644-0247 Todd.Walker@development.ohio.gov

Ohio Updates Application Process for Energy Assistance Programs in response to COVID-19   The Ohio Development Services Agency (Development) and Highland County Community Action Org., Inc. are working to help keep Ohioans safe during this time of emergency. Recently, Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19, and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH has issued orders to limit social interactions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.   Effective immediately, Ohioans who are enrolling in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) for the first time, applying for Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program, or have limited income, are no longer required to visit a local Energy Assistance Provider in order to complete an application. While Highland County Community Action Org., Inc. will remain open and willing to provide these face-to-face appointments, the agency strongly encourages applicants to utilize the online, mail, or fax methods to limit the potential for exposure.      Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application and upload the required documents prior to their appointment. If a you do not have access to the internet and/or cannot upload your documentation, the local Energy Assistance Provider can complete your application over the phone. For a list of required documentation or to schedule an appointment call, 937-393-3458 or 937-981-9718.   “Working with our local providers, we have been providing Ohio families with the support they need to manage their energy bills, and now this support is even more important,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Development Services Agency. “The online application, in a normal scenario, makes it easier to apply and reduces the length of an in-person appointment, but now it is providing a bridge to assistance during an incredibly difficult time.”   Development will also extend the Winter Crisis Program (WCP) until May 1, 2020 to align with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s extended Winter Reconnect Order and the regular Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will be extended until June 1, 2020.   Development’s Interactive Voice Response phone lines will not be available, however Ohioans may continue to call (800) 282-0880 and select option 2, to be transferred to their local Energy Assistance Provider.   The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program helps income-eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills and can assist with fuel tank placement, fuel tank testing and furnace repair. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for WCP and HEAP assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $45,062.50. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for PIPP. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $38,625.00.   Ohioans that have a regulated utility and have been issued a disconnect notice are eligible for a one-time WCP benefit if they have not already received a WCP or regular HEAP benefit.   For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, contact Highland County Community Action Org., Inc.  at 937-393-3458 or 937-981-9718 Additional information can also be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880.   ###

Office of Communications & Marketing • 77 South High Street • Columbus, Ohio 43215 • U.S.A. • 614 | 466-2609 The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA.

Public Service Announcement:  For Immediate Release

March 13, 2020

Due to the State of Emergency declared by Ohio Governor Mike
DeWine to protect the well-being of Ohioans from the dangerous effects of
COVID-19, policies requiring face to face interviews to complete certain Home
Energy Assistance Program applications have been temporarily suspended. Rules
set in place the Ohio Development Services Agency for households seeking Winter
Crisis Program assistance, enrolling on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan
for the first time, and those households with incomes at or below 30% of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines to complete in-agency applications will be suspended
from today until such time as the regulating agency reverts to the official
policy of record.  Applicants will not be
required to complete an in-agency appointment but can opt to complete a phone
interview. 

While the agency will be open and accepting face to face
appointments, households can choose to complete applications which can be
submitted via the online system at

http://www.energyhelp.ohio.gov/

via hand delivery or mail to Highland County Community
Action Org., Inc. 1487 North High St. Suite 500 Hillsboro, OH  45133 or 133 Lafayette St. Greenfield, OH
45123, or by fax to 937-393-7176.  If
submitting by fax, please indicate the total pages being faxed to ensure all
are received.  If you mail the
application, please indicate if you are applying for Winter Crisis
assistance.  All required documents
should be submitted with the application as listed below.  Once the application has been received, staff
will contact you to schedule a phone interview to finalize and discuss your
benefit details. 

Interested households can contact the agency directly to
schedule an appointment for either face to face or phone completion at
937-393-3458 or 937-981-9718. 

The Winter Crisis Program season ends on March 31,
2020.  We encourage applicants to submit
as soon as possible to meet the deadline. 

Required documents:

Main applicant ID

Social Security Numbers for all
household members

Proof of citizenship for all household
members

Documentation of all household income
for the most recent complete 30 days, unless seasonally or self-employed which
requires the most recent 12 months of income. 
For households and household members with zero income, a self
declaration of no income will be required with additional documentation.  Please contact us with questions or to obtain
forms and requirements.

Most recent electric and gas bill

Proof of disability if applicable

A paper
application can be accessed via our website at www.hccao.org, via the http://www.energyhelp.ohio.gov/  website, or at any agency location.  Follow us on facebook for more updates and
information. 

Click below to access a paper application for the Home Energy Assistance Program

https://www.development.ohio.gov/files/is/2019-2020%20HEAP%20Application%20FINAL%20BW.pdf

The 2020-2021 Emergency HEAP Winter Crisis Program begins
Monday, November 2, 2020 and will operate through March 31, 2021

We encourage households to opt for an online, mailed or dropped off application in order to limit exposure potential to the coronavirus. Apply online at energyhelp.ohio.gov

You can download an application here. Mail to or drop off at : 1487 North High Street, Suite 500 Hillsboro, OH

Fax to 937-393-7176.

The program will assist applicant households one time who have a total gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The Winter Crisis Program can provide up to $175 of assistance with regulated electric or natural gas, $750 of assistance with non regulated electric or natural gas, $550 of assistance with wood, coal, or pellets, $900 for propane or fuel oil and/or $500 for furnace repair.

In addition, eligible households –those at 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or less – with a regulated utility may be signed up on the PIPP Plus program where it would benefit the household to do so. Additional payment plans may be available.

Documentation Needed to Process your WCP Application:

• Income documentation for the past 30 days unless self employed or seasonally employed, then you will need 12 months – if you receive assistance from friends or family you will need to provide a signed statement by that person detailing this assistance with their address and phone number, For applicants and household members with no documentable income source, you may be required to provide the prior year’s tax transcript or verification of non-filing status***
• Social Security Number/Cards for all persons in the household
• Most recent electric and natural gas bill
• Proof of citizenship – i.e. birth certificate or voter registration card – for a complete list contact HCCAO at 937-393-3458 Hillsboro or 937-981-9718 Greenfield
• Name, address, and phone number of your landlord if applicable
• If a household member is disabled, proof of disability is required.
• Clients applying for assistance with regulated or non regulated electric or natural gas must have a disconnect notice or be applying for new or transferred service.
• Bulk Fuel users must have less than a 10 day supply of fuel.
• Applicants with a diagnosis of Coronavirus in 2020 are eligible for assistance without disconnect.

Please
note, additional information may be required

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For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call 937-393-3458 or 937-981-9718

Walk-ins seen by emergency/need on a first come first served basis

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Office hours Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm in Hillsboro and Greenfield

Home visits available for seniors

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2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Household Size	100% FPL	150% FPL	175% FPL
1	$12,760	$19,140	$22,330
2	$17,240	$25,860	$30,170
3	$21,720	$32,580	$38,010
4	$26,200	$39,300	$45,850
5	$30,680	$46,020	$53,690
6	$35,160	$52,740	$61,530
7	$39,640	$59,460	$69,370
8	$44,120	$66,180	$77,210

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Main Office: 1487 N. High Street, Suite 500 – Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
(937) 393-3458 phone – (937) 393-7176 fax

Greenfield Office: 133 Lafayette Street – Greenfield, Ohio 45123
(937) 981-9718 phone – (937) 981-9718 fax

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*Should
you find the need to appeal any decision made on your application, please
contact the agency for the approved process.

**If
you had a hold on a disconnect for an appointment, please be aware no further
holds can or will be placed if you miss your appointment or fail to bring in
all required documents.

***You may obtain a federal tax transcript by phone:  1-800-908-9946, mail:  PO Box 145500 Stop 2800F Cincinnati, OH  45250, fax 1-859-669-3592, or online at http://www.irs.gov/Individual/Get-Transcript.  For non-filers verification can be requested by phone at 1-800-829-1040.