News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that funding is available to assist qualified, low-income and elderly Ohioans with summer cooling costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program, which begins June 1, 2007 and runs through August 31, 2007.

"The Summer Crisis Program is an essential tool for ensuring that our state's most vulnerable residents receive cooling assistance when the temperatures are extreme," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Through the State's partnerships with community action agencies across Ohio, we are ready to assist eligible residents with applications and questions."

The HEAP Summer Crisis Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division, provides summer cooling assistance for low-income households of the elderly, or for Ohioans with a qualifying medical condition. Elderly households must include a member that is at least 60 years old and meets the income qualifications for assistance in paying the current electric bill. Households with a resident who has a documented medical condition, and meets the income qualifications, may also be eligible for an air conditioner and electric bill payment assistance.

The gross annual income of eligible household must be at or below 175 percent of the 2007-2008 federal poverty income guidelines listed below:

Size of Household - Income

1 - Up to $17,867.50

2 - Up to $23,957.50

3 - Up to $30,047.50

4 - Up to $36,137.50

5 - Up to $42,227.50

6 - Up to $48,317.50

7 - Up to $54,407.50

8 - Up to $60,497.50

For households with more than eight members, add $6,090 for each additional member.

Qualified Ohioans can seek assistance at any of Ohio's 54 local service providers. For more information, call the toll-free HEAP hotline at 1-800-282-0880. The hearing impaired may dial 1-800-686-1557 for assistance. Information is also available on the HEAP Website at www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/heap.htm or at http://energyhelp.ohio.gov.

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Media Contacts: Nikki Jaworski (614) 466-9161 or Maria Smith (614) 466-2382.