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MARIETTA — Washington-Morgan Community Action continues to offer help for income-eligible Ohioans to afford staying warm during the cold winter months.

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying a utility or bulk fuel bill or assistance paying for heating system repairs. The program runs from Nov. 1, 2024, until March 31, 2025.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Washington-Morgan Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-370-1328.

Walk-ins may only be seen for emergency situations, schedule permitting.

Applicants must bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

* Proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.

* Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.

* Full names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of all household members.

* Proof of disability (if applicable).

* Copies of their most recent energy bills.

* Utility bills must be in the name of an adult household member. If the bills are in the landlord’s name, proof that the household is responsible for payment of the utility is required.

Additional documentation may be needed depending on your specific circumstances.

If information is missing, an application cannot be processed.

Eligible households can receive assistance not to exceed $175 if they are a client of a regulated utility, or $750 if they are a client of unregulated utilities such as an electric cooperative. Firewood/coal users may receive up to $650, or those who heat with bulk fuel may qualify for up to $1,200 for a delivery. Eligible homeowners may qualify for heating system repair assistance up to $1,500.

The assistance is one-time only between November and March. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. Regulated utilities such as AEP and Enbridge offer a one-time hold for scheduled appointments, but missing the scheduled appointment may result in utilities being shut off.

Applications are also still being accepted for regular HEAP, which is a one-time credit applied to an eligible household’s heating bill to help offset the cost during the winter. Approval notices for regular HEAP credits will be mailed to applicants’ homes from the Department of Development when benefit determinations are made. The benefit amounts of the regular HEAP credits are less for 2025 than in recent years due to less available federal funding. Applications for regular HEAP are accepted through May 31.

If a household is not facing a heating crisis and only needs to re-verify their PIPP or apply for regular HEAP, a paper or online application should be completed at https://energyhelp.ohio.gov/. Paper and online applications cannot be used for the Winter Crisis/Emergency HEAP program.

For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, contact Washington-Morgan Community Action at 740-373-3754 (Washington County) or 740-962-3827 (Morgan County).