What is the Emergency Component of HEAP? WCP Eligibility Requirements: Households with more than 8 members should add $1,870.00 per member to the quarterly income. Households may qualify for benefits using the 12 month income test, if the past 3 months income is above the maximum. How do you apply for WCP?
A special component of the HEAP is the Winter Crisis Program (WCP). The WCP is administered by the local delegate agencies. With one exception, these are local community action agencies (CAAs). In Geauga County, the delegate agency is the Office of Job and Family Services. Last year, there were over 175,000 households served by the Emergency "Winter" Crisis Program. The WCP provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a ten day supply of bulk fuel. Those households serviced by a PUCO-regulated utility must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) or another payment plan in order to receive emergency benefits. Bulk fuel users must certify in writing that they have less then a ten-day supply of bulk fuel in order to be eligible. WCP can also help pay for heating system repairs in certain cases.
Households whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the WCP. A household whose total income during the past 3 months is equal to or less than the following maximums may be eligible:
Applications must be completed at the local HEAP delegate agencies (CAAs). It is important that you call for an appointment. Income documentation must be presented at the time of application for all household members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old. (Community Action Agencies).
Applications for WCP will be accepted November 1 through March 31.