Briefs: Winter heating assistance available through March
Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission accepting applications for heating assistance
Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission, which serves Crawford, Marion and Morrow counties, is accepting applications for the 2022-23 Winter Crisis Program (WCP) that runs through March 31, 2023. The Winter Crisis Program (HEAP) is a heating assistance program that may provide a one-time payment toward a utility and/or bulk fuel service for those meeting the program eligibility requirements.
Appointments can be made by calling the automated appointment line at 419-718-0047 or online at app.capappointments.com. OHCAC has a morning CALL-IN policy. Customers who are shut off currently need to call their local county CAC Office. The policy is as follows: (1) electric or gas customers must be in a shut off situation (2) bulk fuel, wood, coal or heating oil customers must have less than 25% of the fuel source on hand. Call-In customers will be served daily in the mornings, meeting the 2023 WCP guidelines with all required documentation.
Eligible applicant’s total household income must be at or below 175% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a family of four, this would be an annual income of $48,562.50.
Medicare open enrollment deadline for 2023 coverage is Dec. 7
COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French is reminding Ohioans on Medicare that the deadline to select Medicare health insurance coverage for 2023 is Wednesday at midnight.
Ohioans on Medicare have the option to select Original Medicare, often paired with a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage managed care plan. Medicare Advantage plans provide comprehensive health insurance benefits typically including prescription drug coverage. Medicare information for 2023 can be found at medicare.gov.
Medicare experts from the department's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program can help. As the state's official Medicare assistance program, OSHIIP provides free and unbiased Medicare insight, plan comparison, financial assistance identification, and enrollment facilitation.
OSHIIP staff is available through individual virtual counseling appointments scheduled at insurance.ohio.gov, a toll-free hotline, 800-686-1578, and oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov.
Ohioans on Medicare can also call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) for Medicare assistance.
Upcoming meetings:
● Bucyrus Board of Zoning Appeals, 4 p.m., Tuesday, Council chambers, City Hall, 500 S. Sandusky Ave., Bucyrus
● Crawford County Democratic Central Committee Christmas potluck/meeting, 7 p.m., Wednesday, County Engineer's Office, 816 Whetstone St., Bucyrus
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission offers winter heating help
