The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Help available for heating bills of low-income homes
Lorain County Community Action Agency distributes funds
A priority of the Lorain County Community Action Agency is to help residents keep their homes warm this winter season.
Fuel Fund services now are available to Columbia Gas customers as another tool to keep their heat on this winter.
“Columbia Gas is providing the funding, but we are distributing it,” said Lorain County Community Action Agency Energy Services Coordinator Darnella Higginbotham. “The only way that a client can qualify for, or utilize, the funds is directly through our agency.”
Customers do not need to have a disconnection notice and can use the fund after they have exhausted all the other energy assistance options.
Higginbotham said the funds are available for those who qualify for either the Winter Crisis or Home Energy Assistance Program programs.
“If a customer qualifies for either the HEAP or Winter Crisis program, then they will qualify for the Fuel Fund up to $250 to pay toward their outstanding balance,” she said. “But they would have to qualify for one of the programs in order to use the funds.”
The Home Energy Assistance Program provides assistance for customers who do not have a disconnection notice but need help paying their bills.
The Winter Crisis program is available for residents who are without heat or threatened with disconnection.
Higginbotham said the Winter Crisis program will run through March 31.
“The program helps clients who are in disconnection status, affected by COVID-19
or need help turning services back on,” she said. “If their household has been affected by COVID, then they can receive help toward their utility bill.”
To qualify for the Winter Crisis program, applicants must live at or below 175% of the federal poverty line or have a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Maximum benefits for the Winter Crisis program are:
• $175 for regulated gas and electric utilities
• $750 for unregulated gas and electric utilities
• $900 for bulk fuel, propane, heating oil or kerosene
• $550 for coal or wood The program also can fund up to $500 in heating unit repairs or replacements.
Although both programs have a one-time distribution, Higginbotham said customers still may access the Fuel Fund.
“Fuel funds are not a part of the Winter Crisis,” she said. “So, just because they reached their quota of one help per season for that program, doesn’t mean they’re not eligible.
“It’s additional funding that will help toward that Columbia Gas utility and gas bill.”
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until they are depleted.
Higginbotham said she encourages anyone eligible to schedule an appointment.
“We’re really prepared to help as many families as we can,” she said.
Appointments can be scheduled for the following reasons: heat was disconnected; disconnection notice was received; establishing a new service; need to pay to transfer service; bulk fuel users have less than a 10-day supply of wood, coal, pellets, propane or oil; and a member of the household has had COVID-19 in the last 12 months.
These emergency situations qualify for an appointment with Community Action Agency staff, which will take place over the phone.
To make an appointment, visit lccaa.secure.force. com/appointments.