The Ohio Development Services Agency and Buckeye Hills Regional Council want to remind everyone that income-eligible Ohioans can still receive assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program. The program helps eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills and can assist with fuel tank placement, fuel tank testing, and furnace repair. This program will be continuing through March 31st.
The Winter Crisis Program is just one part of the overall Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP. HEAP is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. There are regular HEAP benefits, and then every year the program also offers a Summer Crisis Program and a Winter Crisis Program. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the Winter Crisis Program benefit can help manage heating costs during the cold winter months.
Low-income households that have been disconnected (or have a pending disconnection notice), need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have 25% (or less) of bulk fuel supply remaining, less than a 10-day supply of firewood. or have a household member who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020-2021 may be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program.
When applying, make sure to have copies of the following documents:
- Most recent utility bills.
- A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers).
- Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months of proof of income preferred).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
This year appointments can be held over the phone or in-person with their local Energy Assistance Provider listed below:
- Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP): 740-868-1908
- Guernsey-Monroe-Noble Tri-County CAC: 740-955-8001
- Washington-Morgan Community Action: 740-370-1328
- Gallia-Meigs Community Action: 740-444-4371
Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application prior to their required appointment.
For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, contact Buckeye Hills Regional Council at 800-331-2644.