More than 55,000 Ohio households served in 2025
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, and Southeast Ohio’s Community Action Agencies are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.
From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP).
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households and those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with a household member age 60 or older and/or a household member with a documented medical condition. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $57,750.
Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 55,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $12.4 million in benefits.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with their local Community Action Agency:
- 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
Clients 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
“For many households, summer heat can create serious financial and health concerns,” said Jennifer Westfall, Aging and Health Director at Buckeye Hills Regional Council. “At Buckeye Hills, our role is to help make sure residents know this assistance is available, but our Community Action Agency partners are the real champions of this work. We are grateful for their continued partnership and for the care they provide to residents across our region, especially during the hottest months of the year.”
Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for assistance, or central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program, contact your local Community Action Agency.
To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.