HEAP Winter Crisis Program begins; heating assistance available to eligible households
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With the frigid weather approaching, the Ohio Department of Development prepares to protect Ohioans for another winter season with the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program.
The program assists qualified low-income and elderly Ohioans with winter heating costs, beginning November 1, 2011 and running through March 31, 2012.
"Ohio winters can be extreme, especially for those without heating," said Nick Sunday, Deputy Chief of the Department's Office of Community Assistance. "The HEAP Winter Crisis Program answers the call for help and steps in to assist our citizens with the high costs of heating their homes."
The HEAP Winter Crisis Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Assistance, provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that have been disconnected, are being threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. Approximately 458,000 households were served during the 2010-2011 Winter Crisis Program.
Qualifying for HEAP is dependent upon the size of the household and the total gross household income for either the past three or twelve months, which must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines listed below:
The following income guidelines are in effect for Program Year 2011-2012:
Size of Household Yearly Income Income in the Past Three Months
1 $21,780 $5,445
2 $29,420 $7,355
3 $37,060 $9,265
4 $44,700 $11,175
5 $52,340 $13,085
6 $59,980 $14,995
7 $67,620 $16,905
8 $75,260 $18,815
For households with more than eight members, add $7,640 to the yearly income or $1,910 to the quarterly income for each additional member.
To apply for assistance through the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, households must have a face-to-face interview at their local provider agency. Qualified Ohioans may call the Department's toll-free hotline at (800) 282-0880, Monday through Friday for a referral to one of Ohio's 56 local service providers. Hearing impaired customers may dial (800) 686-1557 for assistance.
For more information about the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.
The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Assistance administers the HEAP Winter and Summer Crisis Programs, the newly redesigned electric Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus), and other state and federally funded programs that benefit Ohio individuals and families. The Office of Community Assistance, housed with the Community Services Division, coordinates its programs to form a comprehensive strategy to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state.
Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.[[In-content Ad]]
The program assists qualified low-income and elderly Ohioans with winter heating costs, beginning November 1, 2011 and running through March 31, 2012.
"Ohio winters can be extreme, especially for those without heating," said Nick Sunday, Deputy Chief of the Department's Office of Community Assistance. "The HEAP Winter Crisis Program answers the call for help and steps in to assist our citizens with the high costs of heating their homes."
The HEAP Winter Crisis Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Assistance, provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that have been disconnected, are being threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. Approximately 458,000 households were served during the 2010-2011 Winter Crisis Program.
Qualifying for HEAP is dependent upon the size of the household and the total gross household income for either the past three or twelve months, which must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines listed below:
The following income guidelines are in effect for Program Year 2011-2012:
Size of Household Yearly Income Income in the Past Three Months
1 $21,780 $5,445
2 $29,420 $7,355
3 $37,060 $9,265
4 $44,700 $11,175
5 $52,340 $13,085
6 $59,980 $14,995
7 $67,620 $16,905
8 $75,260 $18,815
For households with more than eight members, add $7,640 to the yearly income or $1,910 to the quarterly income for each additional member.
To apply for assistance through the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, households must have a face-to-face interview at their local provider agency. Qualified Ohioans may call the Department's toll-free hotline at (800) 282-0880, Monday through Friday for a referral to one of Ohio's 56 local service providers. Hearing impaired customers may dial (800) 686-1557 for assistance.
For more information about the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.
The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Assistance administers the HEAP Winter and Summer Crisis Programs, the newly redesigned electric Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus), and other state and federally funded programs that benefit Ohio individuals and families. The Office of Community Assistance, housed with the Community Services Division, coordinates its programs to form a comprehensive strategy to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state.
Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.[[In-content Ad]]