Need help with summer cooling bills? Assistance is available for some in Summit County

Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

Assistance is available for income-eligible residents to stay cool this summer.

The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program helps eligible residents pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or tower fan. This year, the program will run from July 1 until Sept. 30, 2023.

Locally, the Community Action Akron Summit assists income-eligible Summit County residents with the program.

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 such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan (up to 2 fans). Residents must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $52,500.

Summit County residents that are enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance toward their default/disconnection PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

Community Action Akron Summit will complete scheduled appointments over the phone (no face-to-face interviews) for the Summer Crisis Program (SCP). Customers can call the HEAP line at 330-436-0261 or go to https://capappointments.com to schedule an appointment. Customers that have a scheduled appointment must be available to complete the application process over the phone during their scheduled appointment time.

Community Action Akron Summit will also continue to process applications online and receive paper applications. The required documentation needed for HEAP can be dropped off at 670 W. Exchange Street in Akron. Documentation can also be faxed to 330-313-3884 or uploaded if applying online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Need help with summer cooling bills? Help is available for some