Need help paying summer utility bills? Income-eligible residents can get aid – Akron Beacon Journal

Assistance to pay for utility service is available to income-eligible Summit County residents through a state program that began on July 1.

The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program, also called HEAP, helps income-eligible residents pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or up to two fans.

Locally, Community Action Akron Summit administers the program, which runs through Sept. 30. This year, the program has expanded eligibility requirements so more residents can be helped during the coronavirus pandemic.

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 and

municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or to purchase the air conditioning unit or two fans.

Residents 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 $46,375.

Summit County residents that are enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan

Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance toward

their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, or may receive an air conditioning unit

and/or fan.

Community Action Akron Summit will complete scheduled appointments over the phone (no face-to face interviews) for the Summer Crisis Program. Customers can call the HEAP line at 330-436-0261 or go to https://capappointments.com to schedule an appointment.

Customers that have a scheduled appointment must be available to complete the application process over the phone during their scheduled appointment time.

Community Action Akron Summit also will continue to process applications online and

receive paper applications. The required documentation needed for HEAP can be dropped off at the Akron office at 670 W. Exchange St., in Springfield at 1367 Doty Drive, or in Barberton at 105 5th St.

Documentation can also be faxed to 330-313-3884 or uploaded if applying online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher

Original Source: https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/07/06/home-energy-assistance-summer-crisis-program-assistance-available/7840295002/