Energy assistance program benefits hundreds

Lifeline’s Home Energy Assistance Program - Summer Crisis Program, which began July 2 and concluded at the end of last month, once again served a high number of low-income households with emergency utility assistance and cooling.

The annual program is the sister program of the community action agency’s HEAP - Winter Crisis Program.

Throughout the two months of the Summer Crisis Season, according to a news release, Lifeline’s staff completed applications for over 320 households from nearly every community in

Lake County for emergency assistance.

Of those household applications, more than 310 were either approved for assistance with their electric bills or received an airconditioner.

Over $52,000 in federal funds were expended over the course of the season,

in addition to the 30 window air conditioners distributed.

“July and August can be two extremely hot months in Ohio, and that can take a toll on older Ohioans and Ohioans with breathing conditions,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

Lifeline’s Executive Director, Carrie Dotson, agreed with Goodman.

“It was a very steady summer

season with a lot of days in the 90s,” she said. “It was busier than usual. The hotter it gets, the higher the utility bills. Our lobby was often very full and we were also able to get out into the community more, too.”

Through a partnership with the Lake County Council on Aging, and many of Lake County senior citizens centers, Lifeline was able to take applications on-site at many of the centers, which increased access for senior citizens across the county, the release stated.

“With the guidelines to qualify for the SCP requiring that applicants must either have a senior citizen (60 years or older) in the home or have a physiciandocumented health condition (requiring cooling assistance), we know we’re helping folks who really need it,” Dotson said.

“These are people who clearly need their utilities on and to keep cool during the hottest months of the year. We’re grateful to the (Lake County) Council on Aging and the local senior centers for helping us increase access .... ”

Applicants must reside in the county and must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance, according to Lifeline.

Dotson said the program is about much more than just providing comfort.

“It’s about keeping our most vulnerable residents, senior citizens, and those with health conditions safe and healthy,” she said.

Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office is at 54 S. State St., Suite 303, in Painesville.

For more information, contact Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office at 440350-9160 or visit www. lclifeline.org/get-help/heap.