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.

This year’s program will end Aug. 31.

Eligible households can receive up to $300 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $500 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or applied to central air conditioning repair costs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $43,925.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program.

The total household income is calculated on a prior 12-month or last 30-days basis, and is based on household size. For 2018-2019, eligibility levels for 175% of FPG are:

· one person household – $21,245.00 yearly – $1,770.42 last 30 days;

· two person household – $28,8053.00 yearly – $2,400.42 last 30 days;

· three person household – $36,365.00 yearly – $3,030.42 last 30 days;

· four person household – $43,925.00 yearly – $3,660.42 last 30 days;

· five person household – $51,485.00 yearly – $4,290.42 last 30 days;

· six person household – $59,045.00 yearly – $4,920.42 last 30 days;

· seven person household – $66,605.00 yearly – $5,550.42 last 30 days;

· eight person household – $74,165.00 yearly – $6,180.42 last 30 days;

Household Income is defined as the gross income for all household members 18 years of age or older.

The following items will need to be brought in:

Photo ID, everyone in the household needs a Birth Certificate or Social Security Card, past 30 days of the household income and most recent electric and/or gas bill.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program locally, contact Fayette County Community Action at (740)335-7282. Additional information can also be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880.