News Release
Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency will be helping income-eligible Ohioans with our Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis again this summer. Eligible Ohioans can receive assistance with paying an electric bill and/or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs (must be a home owner for repairs). We will also be providing Air Conditioners and/or fans. You will have to have not received an air conditioner or fan in the last three (3) years to be eligible. The program runs from July 1, 2022 until September 30, 2022.
To apply for the program , clients are require3d to schedule an appointment with Gallia-Meigs CAA. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-444-4371. All appointments must be scheduled by our IVR system.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
- Copies of their most recent energy bills (please provide gas and electric bills if not total electric)
- 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 (we must have Social Security Cards for all household members)
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
- Physician Documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health, or a disconnect (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60). We have forms at our office for clients to pick up to take to your doctor.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), if under 60 you will need to provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Medical conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.
Eligible households can receive up to $500 if the yare a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. In addition you may receive an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $48,562.50.
Also Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs (home owners only), or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan. Clients having just a current PUPP due are not eligible for assistance.
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact Gallia-Meigs CAA at 740-444-4400. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880.