COLUMBUS – Hot weather is returning to central Ohio, which has already seen more than one day of near-100-degree temperatures, and this summer, families might be feeling the pinch of cooling bills more than usual.
Ohio’s Summer Crisis Program provides one-time financial assistance to help qualified households by providing money to be used toward an electric bill or AC repairs.
Households qualify if they are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, or about $48,000 dollars for a family of four.
“We’re talking about folks living paycheck to paycheck, working two or three jobs. These are the working poor that we are looking to assist. And because of climbing gas prices and food prices, this is a really important service to provide to the community” said Jennifer Wood, director of community engagement for IMPACT Community Action in Columbus.
The Summer Crisis Program provides money for electric bills or repair to central air conditioning systems. Eligible households must have received a disconnect notice, had their utility shut off, or require central air conditioning repair.
They also can apply if their household includes someone age 60 or older, with a doctor’s note stating that cooling assistance is needed.
“Some of those needs would include things such as lung disease, COPD or asthma. So, eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities,” Wood said.
IMPACT and other community action agencies across the state are helping with applications for the program, which starts Friday and continues until Sept. 30th.