Summer Crisis Program Program Ends September 29 at MYCAP
The Ohio Department of Development and MYCAP will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1-Sept. 30, 2023.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment. MYCAP appointments are scheduled by calling the appointment line 330-778-2992 at 2pm. Monday through Thursday and scheduling under the walk-in option. The walk-in option will provide appointments for our next business day. These are the only remaining appointments. Scheduling an appointment will not place a hold on the electric bill.
MYCAP will be open Friday September 29, 2023 from 8am to NOON to accommodate only those clients who need to start a Summer Crisis Application. Returns will not be taken this day. Clients will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Those starting and completing an application on September 29 will be entered into a drawing for gift cards.
Those clients with a previously started Summer Crisis Program Application will be eligible to return Monday through Thursday Oct 2-Oct 12, 2023 with their needed items. For these 2 weeks returning clients will be taken throughout the day from 7:30am-11am and from 1:00-4:30pm.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
- Copies of their most recent energy bills
- A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
- Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).
- Additional requirements may be requested depending on household documentation provided
- NEW REQUIERMENT -If your household was being maintained with a support letter the last time you reverified your PIPP, HEAP, Winter, Summer Crisis or LIHWAP Water/Sewer assistance, an IRS Tax Return Transcript will be required before your application can be completed.
- To obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript go to IRS.gov or call 1-800-908-9946. To receive this in the mail will require 5-10 business days.
Last year, more than 1,340 families in Mahoning County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.
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, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans 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 $52,500.00.
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact MYCAP at 330-747-7921. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.