Heard about HEAP?

Winters can be hard here in the Northwest. Temps can get very cold, the snow can get very deep, and the "holiday" season often seems to stretch on endlessly. But why am I posting about this now, while we're in the grip of the much shorter (but often just as extreme) summer season? Because now is the time to apply for HEAP - the Home Energy Assistance Program.

What follows is a verbatim press release issued recently concerning the programs (like HEAP) which are administered by the Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo. Check it out, and see if you qualify for any of these programs.

For Immediate Release:

CONTACT:  Tomeka Rushing 

                         419-241-2213, or trushi@eopa.org

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible Ohio residents meet the rising cost of home heating.

With Summer temperatures rising, you might think that the charitable work of The Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo (E.O.P.A) HEAP Program is just about over. But the Home Energy Assistance Program is actively providing services to help people who are at risk with their utility needs. The services available to the community are listed below:

2010 Summer Crisis Energy an Air Conditioning program

July 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010

Poverty Income Guidelines are 0% to 200%

Customers can receive a grant award up to $175.00 towards their electric bill.

No disconnection is required.

Households can receive an Air Conditioner if documentation of a Health Condition can be provided. Proof of a Health Condition is not needed if the customer is sixty (60) years or age or older.

Toledo Edison/First Energy Ohio Fuel Fund

Poverty Income Guidelines are 0% to 200%

Customers can receive a grant award up to $300.00 towards their electric bill.

No disconnection is required.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

Poverty Income Guidelines are 0% to 150%

Customer can enroll on a payment plan for regulated utility companies.

No disconnection notice required

TCO Columbia Gas Fuel Fund

Poverty Income Guidelines are 175% to 200%

Customer can receive up to $250.00 on Columbia Gas Bill Only

No disconnection notice required

Applications will be accepted at the following HEAP Sites:

EOPA HAMILTON BUILDING (Headquarters- Central City) (Open All Year Long)

505 HAMILTON ST

TOLEDO, OHIO 43604

(419) 255-7125

APPOINTMENT TIMES: 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday except all major holidays  

Please call 1-866-504-7392 to schedule an appointment.

At the time of your appointment you must have all the following:  

* 13 Weeks of current and documented income for all adults in the household.

* Picture Identification 

* Social Security numbers for all members of the household

* Both current regulated utility bills (gas, lights), in a household members name 

* Property Owners name, address, telephone number 

* Statement of Health Condition from a physician for Summer Crisis Program

The Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Lucas County. Founded in 1964, its mission is to develop and operate programs to advocate for low-income and moderate-income individuals and families to assist them in achieving self-sufficiency.  E.O.P.A. has always envisioned that economic emancipation is the greatest path to eradicate poverty. 

Head Start provides educational, health, and social services to low-income children and families.  To be eligible, families must receive public assistance or live below 150% of the federal poverty level, defined as an income of $33,075 or less for a family of four.

HEAP provides to income-qualified candidates, an annual grant to help with heating costs as well as an emergency program, which provides an emergency payment (once per heating season) for qualified low-income customers. 

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is an extended payment arrangement that allows regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of a customer's household income. Eligible customers have a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.