Community Action Agency’s HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP) runs through Sept. 30.

Appointments for the HEAP Summer Crisis may be made by calling the automated phone service at 330-892-8880. Scheduled appointments will be Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be same-day appointments only, from 8 a.m. to 1p.m. for the duration of the program. All appointments will be at the agency. All Friday appointments are on a first-come first-serve basis until all appointments are filled for the day.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older) or households that can provide medical documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Examples of conditions can include lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, etc. This year, households that have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service are eligible.

The HEAP Summer Crisis Program allows for a one-time electric utility payment for eligible households. This assistance must result in the continuation of electric service for at least 30 days. Clients may receive an air conditioner and/or fan(s), or central air conditioning unit repairs. The client must be at least partially responsible for their electric bill to obtain Summer Crisis assistance. Account numbers are required for utility payments. For those who rent and have the bill in the landlord’s name, you may receive assistance if you provide documentation showing that you are responsible for the bill. Tenant payments for electricity must be made separately from rent payments. Eligible households can receive up to $500 in electric assistance if they are a customer of a regulated electric utility or up to $800 in electric assistance if they are a customer of unregulated electric utilities, such as cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance that will be applied to their utility bill will be separate from any additional benefits (to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan(s), or to pay for central air conditioning repairs). To be eligible for an air conditioning unit or fan, you must not have received one in 2022, 2023, or 2024.

Applications can be scheduled through the automated system by calling 330-892-8880. The client must wait for a confirmation code at the end of the call to secure the appointment. The client will have a face-to-face interview for the appointment, at the agency, for the date and time scheduled. The client will be required to provide the required documents to the agency to complete the application. If all required documents are not provided, the application will not be completed. The client will need to schedule a return.