DARKE COUNTY — Community Action Partnership Darke County and the Ohio Development Services Agency remind you that the Summer Crisis Program ends Wednesday, Aug. 31. The program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill. Eligible customers may also receive a portable air conditioner.

The program provides assistance to low-income households with an elderly member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. This can include lung disease; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; or asthma. 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 $42,525.

To apply for the program, Darke County customers should schedule an appointment by contacting Community Action Partnership at 937-548-8143. Customers need to bring:

• A copy of their most recent energy bill;

• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 90 days for each member;

• Proof of citizenship or legal residence, and;

• 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).

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 benefit can be a combination of a portable air conditioner, and/or utility assistance.

Persons currently 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 Community Action Partnership Darke County to identify other opportunities for assistance.

For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call toll-free at 800-282-0880.