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The Ohio Development Services Agency and Council on Aging (COA) will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP) provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1-August 31, 2019. To apply for the program, customers are required to schedule an appointment with one of COA’s partner organizations listed below, based on where you live:

• Butler County:
  • Partners In Prime: (513) 867-1998
  • Central Connections: (513) 423-1734 ext. 225
• Clermont County:
  • Clermont County Senior Services: (513) 724-1255
• Clinton County:
  • Clinton County Community Action Program: (937) 382-1234
• Hamilton County:
  • Cincinnati Area Senior Services: (513) 559-4523
  • MARIELDERS, INC: (513) 271-5588
• Warren County:
  • Warren County Community Services: (513) 970-6737

Customers 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 (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma. Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program but are encouraged to work with one of the organizations listed above to identify other opportunities for assistance. For more information about energy assistance programs call the Ohio Development Services Agency at (800) 282-0880, Monday through Friday (hearing impaired customers may dial 711 for assistance) and for a list of energy assistance providers select option 2, or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. COA is able to answer questions about the application process for the Summer Crisis Program. Call (513) 721-1025 or (800) 252-0155 and select Option 2.