By james art 
(Photo illustration – MetrocreativeConnection)
MARIETTA-Community Action of Washington-Morgan continues to offer help for income-eligible Ohioans to afford to stay warm during the cold winter months.
The Winter Crisis Home Energy Assistance Program provides eligible Ohioans with assistance to pay a utility or bulk fuel bill or help pay for a heating system repair. The program runs from November 1, 2024. until March 31, 2025
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Washington-Morgan Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 740-370-1328.
Walk-ins may be seen for emergencies only, schedule permitting.
Applicants must bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
* Proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.
* Proof of US citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
* Full names, dates of birth and social security of all household members.
* Proof of disability (if applicable).
* Copies of their most recent energy bills.
* Utility bills must be in the name of an adult household member. If the bills are in the name of the landlord, it is required that the household is responsible for paying the utility program.
Additional documentation may be required depending on your particular circumstances.
If information is missing, the application cannot be processed.
Eligible households can receive assistance not to exceed $175 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $750 if they are a customer of an unregulated utility such as an electric cooperative. Firewood/coal users can get up to $650, or those heating with bulk fuel can qualify for up to $1,200 in shipping. Eligible homeowners can qualify for up to $1,500 in heating system repair assistance.
The aid is one-time only between November and March. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. Regulated utilities such as AEP and Enbridge offer a one-time hold for scheduled appointments, but missing a scheduled appointment can result in a utility shutdown.
Applications are also still being accepted for the regular heap, which is a one-off credit applied to a household’s eligible heating bill to help offset winter costs. Approval notices for regular stack loans will be mailed to applicants’ homes by the Department of Development when benefit determinations are made. Benefit amounts on regular pile loans are smaller for 2025 than in recent years due to less available federal funding. Regular batch applications are accepted until May 31st.
If a household is not facing a heating crisis and only needs to regirify PIPP or apply for a regular pile, a paper or online application must be completed on paper and online applications cannot be used for the winter crisis/emergency pile program.
For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, contact Washington-Morgan Community Action at 740-373-3754 (Washington County) or 740-962-3827 (Morgan County).