Seniors Encouraged to Seek Help with Heating

Time is running out to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for help with last season’s heating bills. Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, the Area Agency on Aging and the Ohio Department of Development want to remind older Ohioans about this important program.

The deadline to apply for HEAP is May 31. The program helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of up to seven members and 60% of State Median Income for a household of eight or more members to pay their heating bills.

Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Older Ohioans may go to their local Area Agency on Aging office or to Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s downtown Dayton office for help with assembling the required documents and completing their HEAP application. They may also visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online or to download a copy of the application.

When applying, individuals need to have copies of the following documents:

• Most recent utility bills.
• A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers).
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types).
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
• Proof of disability (if applicable).

If you have questions about applying for a HEAP benefit, contact MVCAP at (937) 341-5000 (press 1). If you need help completing paperwork, you can walk-in to the office at 741 S. Main St., Dayton Monday through Thursday between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. or between 1 and 3:30 p.m.

Outside of MVCAP’s service area, to be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider, call (800) 282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.