The recent heat wave in Greater Cleveland has led to high electric bills for many residents. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program is available to provide one-time assistance with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, and purchasing an air conditioning unit and/or fan(s).

Eligibility and Application

Households must be at or below 175 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to be eligible. For a family of four, this comes to $57,750. Families can receive up to $500 if their utility company is regulated and up to $800 if they are served by an unregulated utility provider.

Applications for the HEAP Summer Crisis Program will be accepted from July 1 through Sept. 30. People may apply for this government-funded program through the local nonprofit Step Forward. Households can receive one air conditioner and two fans every three years.

To apply, households must meet at least one of the following conditions: having a household member who is at least 60 years old, having a household member with a disability, or having a household member who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires the use of an air conditioner.

Additional Resources

Step Forward also offers drop-in appointments and general inquiry hours Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at 2203 Superior Avenue. Applicants are required to bring all necessary documents to their appointments, including proof of income, recent utility bills, and proof of citizenship.

Utility companies often have payment options that could help customers who do not qualify for utility assistance programs. The Equal Payment Plan, in which customers are billed one-twelfth of the annual estimated usage each month, may also make things more manageable for some customers.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.