With temperatures projected to be in the upper 80s and 90s throughout the next few weeks, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) reminds those who are in need of cooling assistance that the Summer Crisis Program is here to help.

The Summer Crisis Program can help residents pay utility bills, repair central air conditioning units, or obtain one window air conditioner for their residence. The program is available to Ottawa, Wood, Sandusky and Seneca County households that are at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines (e.g. $45,062.50/household of four) and have a disconnect notice from their electric provider.

The program is also available for residents with a household member over the age of 60, or a household member who has a documented medical condition that requires air conditioning (no disconnect notice is required).

“We know that many people are staying home now, and we want to make sure that everyone is staying cool when temperatures are so high,” GLCAP Basic Needs Specialist Joyce McCauley-Benner said. “In particular, we want those people who are most adversely affected by heat — such as those who are elderly, or have asthma or other medical conditions — to reach out to us if they need help with keeping cool.”

Clients must complete the intake process and provide the following documents before payments or benefits will be received:

Copies of their most recent energy bills

A list of all household members with their birth dates and social security numbers

Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members

Proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for all adult household members

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).

To receive assistance, appointments must be scheduled by calling GLCAP’s new scheduling hotline at 567-432-5046 or by visiting www.glcap.org/summercooling and scheduling an appointment online.