Summer Crisis Program begins

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GREENVILLE – The Ohio Development Services Agency and Miami Valley Community Action Partnership will help income- eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs through Aug. 31.

To apply for the program, customers are required to schedule an appointment with Miami Valley Community Action Partnership. Appointments can be scheduled for all counties—Darke, Preble, Greene, and Montgomery—by calling the appointment line at 937-514-4777 or by going online to miamivalleycap.org.

Appointments are released every evening at 4:30 p.m., with an additional 500 appointments released each Friday at 4:30 p.m.

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).

Last year more than 423 families in four counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program. Households were either provided a one-time monetary benefit (up to $300) or a window A/C unit, permitting Miami Valley CAP to spend out over $63,000 to help beat the summer heat.

“We are looking forward to another great Summer Crisis Program in 2019. It is our goal to spend out over $80,000 assisting clients. If you are in need of assistance with cooling costs and meet the criteria listed above, please schedule an appointment so we can keep you cooler during these warm summer months,” said Keelie Gustin, director of Energy Assistance Programs at Miami Valley CAP.

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 Miami Valley CAP to identify other opportunities for assistance.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program, contact Keelie Gustin, Director of Energy Assistance Programs, at 937-341-5000, extension 157 or at [email protected]. For more information about energy assistance programs call (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.

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