HEAP Winter Crisis Program Accepting Applications In Ross County

Presented By Atomic Speedway & Chillicothe VAMC

(Chillicothe)- The colder winter weather will be upon us soon, which has the Ohio Development Services Agency and Ross County Community Action urging income-eligible residents to make arrangements to get into their program for assistance with winter heating bills.

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioan’s assistance paying a utility or bulk fuel/electric bill or assistance paying for heating system repairs. The program runs until March 31, 2022.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Ross County Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (740) 702-7222.

Clients 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);

Last year more than 1,574 families in Ross County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

Winter Crisis: Eligible households can receive up to $175 if they are a client of a regulated utility, or $900 if they are a client of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or applied to heating system repair costs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance.>For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program, contact Ross County Community Action, Kristi Smith at 740-702-7222. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider call (800)282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance), or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.