Assistance Programs Offset Home-Cooling Costs

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohioans who are having trouble paying utility bills can get help during the summer months, too.

There are assistance programs that offset cooling costs.

It’s estimated that one in 10 Ohio residential utility consumers experienced a disconnection of either their electric or gas service for nonpayment in the past year.

“Given the difficulty that many customers are experiencing paying electric bills during tough economic times, the OCC is pleased that funding for the Summer Crisis Program is available this year,” said Ohio’s Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander.

The Summer Crisis Program, administered annually by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), assists households with an annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

The aid is available to eligible consumers through a one-time payment of up to $175 toward their electric bill or, depending on the area of the state the applicant resides in, assistance with cooling equipment, such as an air conditioner or fan, if available.

In addition to the income guidelines, households also must meet the following criteria to be eligible for assistance: have a member who is at least 60 years of age or older or have a member younger than 60 with health issues that are verified by physician documentation

Consumers can use the following chart to determine whether their household meets the income guidelines:

Size of household       Total Annual Income       Total household income for past three months
      1                     $18,952.50                             $4,738.13
      2                     $25,497.50                             $6,374.38
      3                     $32,042.50                             $8,010.63
      4                     $38,587.50                             $9,646.88
      5                     $45,132.50                           $11,283.13
      6                     $51,677.50                           $12,919.38

For households with more than six members, add $6,545 per person for annual income; add $1,636.25 for three months.

To apply for the Summer Crisis Program, contact your local community action agency. The community action agency determines the level of benefits that can be provided. The program is available from July 1 until Aug. 31, 2009.

You also should work with job and family services and other community organizations for help. 

For additional information on the 2009 Summer Crisis Program or to locate the nearest community action agency, consumers should contact the Ohio Department of Development consumer hotline at 800-282-0880 or TDD 1-800-686-1557 or via the Internet at http://energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Consumers also can identify their local community action agency by visiting the ODOD Web site at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/locate.htm .

For additional information on all available assistance programs or to obtain help in avoiding a disconnection, consumers should contact the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) toll free at 877-PICKOCC or visit the OCC Web site at http://www.pickocc.org.

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