Briefs: Applications being accepted for Home Energy Assistance program – Marion Star

Heating assistance available through May

The Ohio Department of Development and Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. want to remind Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills.

Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider (EAP). When applying, individuals need to have copies of the following documents:

• Most recent utility bills
• A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers)
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability (if applicable)

HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after January 1st. Applications for the HEAP program must be received by May 31, 2022.

For more information about HEAP, contact the Area Agency on Aging office at 419-524-4144 or 1-800-860-5799. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider, call 800-282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Monthly church breakfast Saturday

Trinity Lutheran Church, 4535 Smeltzer Road, will be hosting it’s monthly Community Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

The menu will consist of sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, Danish, milk, juice and coffee all for a suggested donation of $7 per person. 

This event is held in the Educational Building to the rear of the church. Everyone is welcome.

Free admission for veterans and family members at Wild Lights

COLUMBUS — The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System, in coordination with community donors and area veteran service organizations is offering free admission to Wild Lights at the Zoo for veterans and their families from 5 – 10 p.m. Dec. 11.

The Wild Lights experience includes opportunities for photos with Santa Claus, the Polar Express 4D Experience, animated light displays and more. Visiting veterans’ children also will receive a gift bag and treats.  

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located at 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio.

Admission is free to the first 3,000 veterans and family members. Veterans must show their DD214, Military ID or VA Patient ID card.

For information about the event, contact the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System events line at 614-388-7787 or the voluntary services office at 614-257-5488.

Original Source: https://www.marionstar.com/story/news/2021/12/02/briefs-home-energy-assistance-program-helps-heating-costs/8835116002/