JOHNSON ANNNOUNCES EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR HEATING BILLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Ohio Lieutenant Governor and State Development Director Bruce Johnson announced today that Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) applications are now available to qualified Ohioans who are threatened with losing their heating services.

“The EHEAP program can help those families struggling to pay winter heating bills stay warm,” said Johnson. “I encourage those individuals threatened with the potential loss of their heating source to explore using this program.”

Households in danger of having, or that have already had, their main or secondary heating source disconnected may be eligible to receive EHEAP funds up to $175.

Those households with less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel are eligible to receive up to $250 to restore or continue their heating service. In addition, the EHEAP Winter Crisis Program can also pay for heating system repairs in certain cases. A household can receive this assistance once per winter season.

The Ohio Department of Development’s (ODOD) Community Development Division administers the program. Households whose gross income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the EHEAP. A household whose total income during the past three months is equal to or less than the following maximum may be eligible:

Size of Household/Past Three Months Income

1/up to $3,491
2/up to $4,684
3/up to $5,876
4/up to $7,069
5/up to $8,261
6/up to $9,454
7/up to $10,464
8/up to $11,839

Households with more than eight members should add $1,193 per member to the quarterly income. Households may qualify for benefits using the 12-month income test, if the past three months income is above the maximum.

Eligible households can apply for the EHEAP Winter Crisis Program at a local community action agency. Agency staff will be on hand during a face-to-face interview to complete the application process. The applicant must have a copy of their utility bill, disconnection notice and documentation of income. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2005.

For more information, call the toll free Home Energy Assistance Program hotline at 1-800-282-0880, Monday through Friday. Those who have Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) can call 1-800-686-1557 toll-free, or visit the HEAP Web site at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/.