The Ohio Development Services Agency and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) will help income-eligible people in Ottawa County stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides assistance to eligible Ohioans who need help paying an electric bill, obtaining a window air conditioner, or paying for central air conditioning repairs.

GLCAP’s Summer Crisis Program serves Ottawa Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Seneca county residents. The program runs through Sept. 30.

The program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older) or household member who has a documented health condition that requires cooling. The program can also assist households that have a disconnect notice, have disconnected utilities, or are trying to establish new service on an electric bill.

To apply, clients are required to schedule a phone intake appointment with GLCAP. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 567-432-5046 or online at www.glcap.org/summercooling.

Clients need to turn in the following documents after their phone 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).

Last year, 622 households in Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa and Seneca counties were assisted through the Summer Crisis Program.

For more information about the

features of the Summer Crisis Program, contact GLCAP at 567-432-5046. 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.