LFCAA Assisting Area Residents Through Summer Crisis Program
The Ohio Department of Development and Lancaster Fairfield County Community Action Agency 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, assist with air conditioners/fans, and/or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1, 2024-Sept. 30, 2024.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule a phone appointment with Lancaster Fairfield Community Action Agency. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-777-9055.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to the agency prior to their phone 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, or there is not a disconnect notice for the electric).
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), households who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health, households that have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill.
Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives. The assistance is applied to their electric bill, and/or to purchase an air conditioning unit, fans, and pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $54,600.
Also, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact Lancaster Fairfield Community Action at 740-653-4146. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.