Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission offers help with electric bills

The Ohio Department of Development and Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months, the Kno-Ho-Co website announced. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program helps eligible Ohioans pay their electric bills. The program runs from July 1 until Sept. 30.

To apply for the program, clients must complete an intake process with the Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission. Clients need to provide copies of the following documents:

• Their most recent energy bills (electric and heating);
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;
• Proof of disability (if applicable);
• Social Security numbers for all household members;
• Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60);
• Proof of service disconnection or threat of disconnection if no household member is over 60 or medically eligible.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with a household member 60 years of age or older, or those that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, or households that have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill or require air conditioning. Medical conditions for those qualifications include lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.

The total benefit amount payable to the electric utility is up to $500 for households served by Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)-regulated utilities and $800 for non-PUCO (Co-Ops). Up to $1,500 may be available to repair a central air conditioning unit. Also, qualifying households may be eligible for an air conditioner and fan if the household has not received this benefit in the past three program years. Households do not have to be in disconnect status if a household member is over 60 or has a documented medical condition. However, those in disconnect status must receive utility assistance before additional benefits will be considered.

Income guidelines are at 175% of the federal poverty level. A family of four is eligible if it has earned up to $4,315.07 in the past 30 days. Applications will be completed via phone interview once all the required documentation is completed and submitted. For alternative processes, contact your local office.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program or to start the application process, contact Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland CAC at 740-397-0378.