Home Energy Assistance Program Summer Crisis Program Concludes August 31

August 18, 2015
PAINESVILLE, Ohio— The HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP) began on July 1st and applications are again being processed by Lifeline, Inc., Lake County’s Community Action Agency. Applications will be taken through August 31, 2015.

It’s been a steady season for the HEAP SCP. As of August 17, Lifeline staff completed over 300 applications for assistance for Lake County residents. Lifeline also distributed nearly 30 air conditioners. Over $25,000 has been expended as of August 17.

“The Summer Crisis Program is going really well and we’re helping a lot of residents who are vulnerable when the weather gets hot,” said Executive Director Carrie Dotson. “We’re helping a lot of senior citizens, as well as folks with health issues, so it’s really great to be able to offer them assistance to help keep them cool, healthy and safe.”

The HEAP Summer Crisis Program provides assistance to low-income Lake County households with a senior citizen member (60 years or older) OR households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. These households are eligible for electric bill payment assistance up to $250 AND/OR an air conditioner, for First Energy utility customers, or $300 AND/OR an air conditioner for City of Painesville Electric customers. Applicants may not receive an air conditioner if they have received one in the last three years. Air conditioners are available on a very limited basis and are first come, first served.

For the 2015 SCP, all applicants must be Lake County residents and have gross annual income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. As the eligibility guidelines have changed from last year’s SCP, participants are recommended to contact the Lifeline, Inc. Energy Assistance Office to see if they meet eligibility guidelines at (440) 350-9160. Information is also available on the Lifeline website at www.lclifeline.org

The Lifeline, Inc. Energy Assistance Office typically offers both scheduled appointments and walk-in hours each week, however all appointments are booked through August 31. Walk-ins will be accepted on a first come, first served basis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Only customers who meet the eligibility requirements and have all required documentation will be able to complete their application process on a walk-in basis. Out appointment line, 1-866-223-1471, will provide callers a list of the required documents needed to complete an application.

For more information on the HEAP Programs, please contact Lifeline, Inc.’s Energy Assistance Office at (440) 350-9160. Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office is located at 54 S. State Street, Suite 303 in Painesville and opens daily at 8:30 a.m.

Lifeline for the Empowerment and Development of Consumers was founded in 1973 with the mission of helping Lake County residents by providing them assistance and life skills programming that is designed to increase self-sufficiency. In 1980 Lifeline became a participating agency of the United Way of Lake County, UWLC, and in 1987 was designated a community action agency by the Ohio Development Services Agency, ODSA. In 2008, Lifeline was designated as a mental health agency by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Today Lifeline continues with the same mission of helping Lake County’s low-income residents break the cycle of poverty and make the transition from agency-dependency to self-sufficiency. Lifeline’s current programming includes services in the healthcare, housing & energy assistance, information & referral services and consumer education & job training areas. Our motto is ‘helping people, changing lives.’ Lifeline is currently funded by the UWLC and by grants through the ODSA, the Lake County Board of Commissioners, the Lake County ADAMHS Board, Lake County Department of Job & Family Services, the City of Mentor, the Western Reserve Junior Service League and through private donors.