HEAP already helping nearly 100 residents

Lifeline, Inc., Lake County’s community action agency, and Columbus-based Ohio Development Services Agency have already started helping eligible Ohioans stay warm during the winter months.

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans heating assistance if they are disconnected from their heating source, threatened with disconnection or if they have less than 25 percent supply of bulk fuel.

The program runs until March 31.

“Working with Lifeline, we want to help (all) Ohioans stay warm this winter,” said David Goodman, director of Ohio Development Services Agency.

The HEAP Program began distributing funds to help pay for heating Nov. 1 and application numbers have been steady, according to agency officials.

Lifeline’s federal grant requires the agency to report updates of the program on a monthly basis.

“Our staff has completed applications for 106 households in just the first two weeks of November,” said Carrie Dotson, executive director of Lifeline.

“While it was warm for

Individuals interested in receiving Winter Crisis assistance must schedule a face-to-face interview at Lifeline, at 54 S. State St., Suite 309, in Painesville.

the beginning of November, we saw our first snowfall shortly thereafter and we know that the need for financial assistance with heating bills is going to climb as it gets colder.”

Of the 106 applications, 96 have been approved for assistance, Lifeline confirmed.

Nearly $39,000 has already been allocated to help those in need in the first two weeks of November.

“We anticipate more people than ever needing help with heat,” said Dotson. “Our winters can be harsh, particularly in Northeast Ohio, and this program helps people heat their homes safely without needing

to choose between basic needs like heat, rent, medications and food.”

Eligible households must also have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $43,925.

Individuals interested in receiving Winter Crisis assistance must schedule a face-to-face interview at Lifeline, at 54 S. State Street, Suite 309, in Painesville.

Customers must bring the following items to their appointment:

• proof of income (copies of pay stubs), 2017 tax filings for self-employed

• copies of their most recent energy bills

• list of all household members with Social Security numbers and birth dates

• proof of U.S. citizenship/legal residency for all household members

Documents Lifeline accepts to prove citizenship/ legal residency include a Social Security Card, birth certificate, U.S. Passport, naturalization paper/certification of citizenship, permanent VISA and INS ID Card.

A list of all required documentation can be found on the downloadable flier on Lifeline’s website or is available in the office.

According to a Lifeline news release, Ohioans also have the option of enrolling in a longer-term plan, the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus, which allows them to pay a percentage of their income rather than high bills they cannot afford. Under PIPP Plus, customers pay six percent of their monthly income or

$10 a month, whichever is greater, to both electric and gas utilities.

Customers in all-electric homes pay 10 percent or $10, whichever is greater. This remains the same for 12 months and then income is rechecked.

The key to this program is keeping up with on-time payments, said Marina Rivera, energy programs manager at Lifeline.

“For each on-time and full monthly payment, PIPP Plus customers see a credit on their bills for their current balances and a credit toward their accumulated arrearage,” Rivera added. “PIPP Plus helps customers eliminate old utility debt and avoid new utility debt.”

The program is administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

To be eligible for PIPP Plus, customers must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line and be a customer of a regulated gas or electric company. Any adult household member reporting zero income may be asked to provide tax documentation as verification.

The Lifeline Energy Office will offer both scheduled appointments and walk-in hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. All walk-in sessions are on a first come, first-served basis.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-866223-1471. The contact number line also provides a list of required documents needed to complete an application.

Only customers who meet eligibility requirements and have all required documentation will be able to complete their application process that day. All others will be asked to return on another day or encouraged to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about these programs, contact Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office at 440-350-9160.

Ohioans can also call the toll-free hotline at 800282-0880, Monday through Friday (hearing impaired customers may dial 711 for assistance) or visit http:// development.ohio.gov/is/ is_heapwinter.htm for more information about the Winter Crisis Program.

For more information about energy assistance programs, call 800-2820880. For a list of energy assistance providers select option 2, or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.