The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans with cooling assistance during the summer months. The program runs from July 1 to September 30.
The focus of the Summer Crisis Program is to provide assistance with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases.
Households with a household member who is either 60 years of age and older, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has a certified medical condition, and households who have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service may be eligible for assistance.
Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) Program are eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
Who is Eligible for the Summer Crisis Program?
Ohioans with a household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and have a member of the household who is at least 60 years old, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health, or households who have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service.
| Size of Household | Total Household Income 12 Months |
| 1 | up to $22,330 |
| 2 | up to $30,170 |
| 3 | up to $38,010 |
| 4 | up to $45,850 |
| 5 | up to $53,690 |
| 6 | up to $61,530 |
| 7 | up to $69,370 |
| 8 | up to $77,210 |
For households with more than eight members, add $7,840 for each individual.
How do I apply for the Summer Crisis Program?
You can begin your application online at energyhelp.ohio.gov but will need to set up an appointment with your local Energy Assistance Provider in order to complete the application.
When you apply, you will need to complete the Energy Assistance Application (English or Spanish) and submit copies of the following documents.
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- copies of your most recent utility bills
- a list of all household members (include birth dates and Social Security numbers) and proof of income for everyone in the household over 18 years old for the last 30 days for each member (12 months preferred)
- proof of citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- proof of medical condition verified by a licensed physician or registered nurse practitioner
You will need to include: proof of income for the past 30 days and 12 months for each member, a copy of your recent fuel/utility bill, proof of medical condition signed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, and a list of all household members (including Social Security Numbers).
Contact your local Energy Assistance Provider for a list of all required documents. Depending on your income type, additional forms may be required. Samples of the additional forms can be found by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I apply for a HEAP Summer Crisis benefit?
You can apply for assistance through the HEAP Summer Crisis Program once a year.
Household income is defined as the total annual gross income before taxes (minus exclusions) of all household members, except earned income of dependent minors under 18 years of age. All income and allowed exclusions must be documented for household members 18 years of age and older regardless of relationship to the primary applicant. Heads of households and spouses may never be considered minors. Gross household income includes wages, interest, dividends, annuities, and pensions.
Included (Countable) Household Income
- Active Military Pay (Basic pay)
- Adoption Assistance
- Alimony
- Annuity
- Black Lung
- Capital Gains – Proceeds from sale of property, home and stock
- Cash Withdraws from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Annuities, or other investments
- Commissions
- Company Disability
- Disability Assistance (DA)
- Estate and Trust Settlements – minus attorney fees – (one-time payment or lump sum)
- Farm Income
- Garnished Wages, including Bankruptcy/Chapter 13
- Grants/Training Stipends – living expenses only
- Immigrant Relocation Allowance
- Interest earned from Savings Accounts
- Legal Settlements
- Lump Sum Distribution
- Odd Jobs
- Ohio Electronic Childcare (Ohio ECC) – Provider Income
- Ohio Works First
- Pensions – Government/Veterans/Private Industry
- Rental Income earned from rental property
- Seasonal Employment Income
- Self-Employment Income
- Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability (SSDI) (Excluding Medicare Deductions)
- Strike Benefits
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)/General Assistance (GA)
- Unearned income paid to or on the behalf of minors
- Unemployment Benefits
- Utility Allowances (as discretionary income)
- Veteran’s Administration Benefits
- Wages/Tips
- Widows/Widower’s Benefits
- Workers’ Compensation
Excluded Household Income
- Adoption Assistance
- Agent Orange Compensation/Benefit
- Assets from bank withdrawals (90-day rule)
- Attorney’s fees for Estate & Trust Settlements
- Census Wages
- Child Support Paid Out
- Child Support Received
- Education Assistance
- FEMA Cash Payments
- Food Assistance Benefit – Food Stamps, SNAP, etc. (cash or equivalent)
- Funds/training stipends designated for specific purposes (i.e., educational Grants/Training stipends for tuition and/or books only-not living expenses)
- Gifts
- Handicapped Income – self-sufficiency programs (example: work expenses for the blind)
- Health Care Spending Accounts – non-taxable health care spending accounts are allowable
- Health Insurance Premiums (dental, vision, health and supplemental insurance)
- Income earned by dependent minors less than 18 years of age
- Jury Duty
- Loans from individuals or institutions requiring repayment of either principle or principal and interest*
- Medicaid spend-down
- Medicare Part D (prescription premium)
- Medicare Payments
- Military Allowances for Subsistence, Housing, Family Separation, etc.
- Ohio Waiver Program
- Prevention, Retention, & Contingency (PRC) – assistance to attempt to divert families from long term financial dependency
- Proceeds from reverse mortgages
- Reimbursement for work expenses
- SS/SSI and SSDI overpayments
- Stipend for Foster Care
- Tax refunds and rebates
- Title III Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Program (DREAP)
- Title V Wages/Senior Community Employment Programs (SCEP) – Older Americans’ Act (Public Law 100-175) Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb), Foster Grandparents Program, Mature Services
- Title XX Benefits
- Transportation Allowances (i.e., Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA), Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Workfare
- Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Service-Related Disability/including surviving dependents
- Volunteers in Service to America (Vista) or other AmeriCorps Stipends
- Work Allowances (i.e., Learning Earning and Parenting [LEAP])
- Work programs for people with disabilities
I have applied for HEAP, but I may be disconnected from my utility service. Can I apply for Summer Crisis assistance?
Other Programs
If you’re having trouble managing your home energy costs, there is help. Below is a list of programs that can help you manage your utility bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency. You also can find a list of local Energy Assistance Providers and a copy of the program application.
You also can apply for assistance online. Visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to complete your application.
