|
HEAP WINTER CRISIS PROGRAM EXTENDED TO APRIL 30th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2008
Columbus, OH
--
Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher announced today that the Home Energy Assistance Program's Winter Crisis Program deadline has been extended from March 31st until April 30, 2008. The extension will allow for applications to be processed after the Public Utility Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) winter heating disconnection moratorium expires on March 18th.
"When the winter heating disconnection moratorium expires next week, the Winter Crisis Program extension will provide additional time and resources for Ohio families to obtain heating assistance," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "The State of Ohio was fortunate to obtain additional federal funds to allow for the extension and the increase program participation."
This year more than 150,904 Ohioans have already qualified for the Winter Crisis Program. An additional 326,116 Ohioans are also enrolled in the regular Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
The HEAP Winter Crisis Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division, provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that have been disconnected, are being threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel.
Qualifying for HEAP is dependent on the size of the household and the total gross household income over the past 13 weeks, which must be at or below 175 percent of the 2007-2008 federal poverty guidelines listed below:
|
Size of Household
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
|
Yearly Income
Up to $17,867.50
Up to $23,957.50
Up to $30,047.50
Up to $36,137.50
Up to $42,227.50
Up to $48,317.50
Up to $54,407.50
Up to $60,497.50
|
13 Week Income
$ 4,466.88
$ 5,989.38
$ 7,511.88
$ 9,034.38
$10,556.88
$12,079.38
$13,601.88
$15,154.38
|
Qualified Ohioans can seek assistance at any of Ohio's 53 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 Web site at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/heap.htm or at http://energyhelp.ohio.gov.
###
Media Contacts: Nikki Jaworski (614) 466-9161 or Kelly Schlissberg (614) 466-4133.
|
