Summer Crisis Program for Ohio 2014--Help for Cooling Your House

Though there are scattered frost warnings out right now, the summer crisis season for cooling will begin in Ohio in a few weeks.  This is the period from July 1st through August 31st when people living within 175% of the poverty level will be eligible for help paying their electric bills, combined with possible fans or air conditioning units.  To be eligible, you not only have to be within 175% of the poverty level, but have at least one member of your household at least 60 years old OR someone with a verifiable medical condition. 

The total amount of aid you can get is up to $175, and that may include either up to 2 fans or a window air conditioning unit if you have not received one since 2010.  You apply at your local community action agency,  and you apply using the HEAP form.  For more information, call (800) 282-0880 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Many other states have summer cooling programs with different benefits and requirements.  To find the heating assistance program in your state, see this website and contact your state officials.

Help to Pay Summer Utility Bills

Most people know that there is money to help low-income people pay their winter heating bills.  However, many states have programs to help people pay their summer electric bills--and maybe even buy a window air conditioner--under certain conditions.

What sort of conditions?  That would generally be if a person were elderly, and/or the person had a health condition that posed a real threat to their life or health.  You would apply through the community action agency in your area.  There are income limits, of course, and may require a letter from one's doctor.  In Ohio, the person must be within 200% of the poverty level, have someone in the household over 60 or with a letter from their doctor documenting the medical condition that makes heat dangerous.  With that, you may be eligible for $175 towards the payment of electric bills and a fan or air conditioning unit. Applications will be taken between July 1st and August 31st.

To find possible programs in your state, check your state's office in charge of heating assistance, and find out, if you have a summer program, when it begins.

Energy Help Isn't Just for Winter

Everyone knows that there are assistance programs to help with winter heating bills. But for the elderly, or those with certain medical conditions, heat can be as deadly as cold. That's why the federal program to help low-income people with their energy bills has a component for helping those particular low-income groups get help for summer cooling bills. In Ohio, the program offers help with electrical bills, and box air conditioners for low-income elderly and infirm that do not have them. Assistance varies in other states. To find out if your state has a summer cooling program, go the website of the state office in charge of your LIHEAP (low income heating assistance program) and see if they offer any help.