Family & Senior Services: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): This program provides utility bill assistance to eligible households during the three highest heating months (December, January, February). Eligible households will receive assistance in the form of a percentage deduction of their utility bills from a regulated utility company and non-regulated and bulk fuel users will receive a voucher for a pre-determined amount that must be given to their fuel vendor.
Emergency HEAP
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) will
begin November 1, 2010 and run through March 31, 2011. Income eligibility is
200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. E- HEAP provides financial assistance
once per heating season to households that are: threatened with disconnection,
already disconnected, or have less than a 25% supply of bulk fuel, wood or coal.
E- HEAP can also cover assistance to establish or transfer service.
The following list includes those documents required for
assistance:
-
ALL social security numbers for EVERY household
member
-
ALL pages of your current electric and gas bill or
information on your bulk fuel
-
ALL birthdates for every household member
-
Any and ALL INCOME received within the last 13
weeks for all household members
-
If renting, with landlords name, address and phone
number
-
Job and family services case number
Summer Crisis Program: This program provides assistance with electric payments and provides an air conditioner unit to prevent undue health risk during the summer cooling period. Air conditioners may only be provided one time every three years.
What is the Percentage of Income Payment Plan
Plus (PIPP Plus)?
The fore-runner of PIPP Plus had
been in effect for more than 20 years. It was (as is PIPP Plus) an extended
payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to
accept payments based on a percentage of the household income. Both programs
are authorized as a part of the Universal Service Fund program enabled by
Substitute Senate Bill 3, which also directs the Office of Community
Services to administer the PIPP for electricity customers. In response to
input for advocates of consumers, businesses, and low-income advocates, the
program was changed to provide greater stewardship of monies, operate more
efficiently with other programs, and better serve the citizens of Ohio
needing the programs support.
Under PIPP Plus, if you heat with gas, you pay 6 percent
of your monthly household income to your gas company and 6 percent to your
electric company. If you heat with electricity, you pay 10 percent of your
monthly household income. The Community Action Agency or utility company
will inform you of your PIPP Plus installment. Once you are enrolled in the
program, you must pay your installment every month in full and on time.
Housing Services:
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP): The purpose of HWAP is to assist low-income households with the conservation of energy through education and home weatherization services. Program activities include: application assistance, estimation/inspection, weatherization services and consumer education. This program is coordinated with other CAO programs and local rehab programs to provide the most comprehensive services.
Warm Choice: This program is funded by Columbia Gas of Ohio and provides assistance to low-income Columbia Gas customers. The program provides for home inspection, heating unit repair/replacement and weatherization services. This program is coordinated with other COA and local programs for maximum service delivery.
The STAR PROGRAM "Saving
Toward Asset
enRichment"
Complete
the initial application and release form
· If
you are approved by the committee for the program you will then complete all
additional paperwork for processing
· You
will make Monthly deposit into
your IDA savings account
· We
match your deposits $2 for every $1 you save
· You
must attend economic literacy classes and you will be involved in planning
your specific program
· Program
takes approximately 2 years to complete
· Total
savings + match will be $3000 by the end of the program plus interest
· Funds
are paid directly to the provider for the investment you choose
· Funds
can be withdrawn for emergency purpose only one time prior to completion of
the program
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
