Kno-Ho-Co winter heating assistance is now available

The Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission’s Emergency HEAP Winter Crisis Program is now underway.

The Winter Crisis Program is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency Office of Community Assistance that provides financial assistance to low-income households that are threatened with disconnection from their heating source or have already had service disconnected. Households serviced by a PUCO-regulated utility are encouraged to sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plus Plan or an alternate budget-payment plan.

Eligible households include those in disconnect status or notice of disconnection or transferring or establishing new service. Households utilizing bulk fuel must have a tank containing less than 25% of its capacity. Income documentation for all household members and Social Security numbers, electric and gas bills, proof of U.S. citizenship/legal residency for all household members, proof of disability if disabled, and other documentation must be presented.

Income guidelines are based at 175% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a household of one person, annual income must fall at or below $25,515, a household of two is $34,510, a family of three is $43,505 and a family of four is $52,500. Income also may be calculated using the past 30 days, which for a single household is $2,097.12. Approved applicants also will have their application automatically processed for the Regular HEAP program, where additional assistance may be available.

Eligible households may receive financial assistance once per heating season. The HEAP heating season runs through March 31. The benefit amounts are as follows: PUCO-regulated gas or electric customers may receive a benefit of up to $175. Nonregulated electric or gas (co-ops) may receive a benefit amount up to $750. Income-eligible bulk fuel customers may receive up to $650 for wood or coal, and up to $1,200 is available for bulk fuel propane/bottled gas and fuel oil consumers. Assistance for furnace repair also is available up to $1,500.

To learn more or to apply, call the Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission’s HEAP office at 330-674-6479.