Air conditioning help available to seniors

Lorain County Community Action Agency and the Ohio Development Services Agency will offer help staying cool for low-income residents over 60 years old with medical conditions worsened by extreme heat.

The 2017 Summer Crisis Program will operate from July 1 through Aug. 31 with eligible Lorain County residents receiving help paying their cooling bill and/or an air conditioning unit.

The program’s qualifications are two-tiered. Residents must be over 60 or have a documented medical condition. They must also live at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Line (an annual income of $43,050 for a family of four).

Customers of regulated utilities can receive up to $300 in assistance. Customers of unregulated utilities can receive up to $500. Residents who have not received an air conditioner from LCCAA in the last three years can request a unit. The cost of the unit will be deducted from the amount of assistance they receive. The remainder can be applied to their energy bill if needed.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) are not eligible for a monetary benefit from the Summer Crisis Program. But, if the enrolled PIPP household is current with payments, they may be eligible for an air conditioner. Reverifications continue to be available year long.

Appointments can be made by calling 1-855-8069620. Three sites will be open during the program. All three are scheduled via the toll free number.

The main office at 401 Broadway in Lorain will be open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. daily. Walk-ins will be accepted all day.

The Wellington office at 115 Willard Memorial Square will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins will be accepted before 11 a.m. The site is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. daily.

LCCAA has also opened an office at St. Agnes Church, 611 Lake Avenue, Elyria, in the school building at the back of the parking lot. The office will be open only for appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will be closed daily for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The client must be seated with an advocate 30 minutes prior to closing for lunch or for the day. This ensures adequate time to process the application before closing.

To complete their applications, customers must bring the following:

• Income information for all household members 18 years of age or older. Any member reporting “no income” must complete a no income form.

• Social Security numbers for all household members.

• Proof of citizenship for all household members.

• Most recent electric and gas bills.

• Proof of medical condition if applicable (documentation signed by a licensed physician

or registered nurse practitioner).

• Additional information may be required.

Contact LCCAA headquarters at 440.245.2009 with any questions.