For Immediate Release
August 17, 2018 / Jackson-Vinton Community Action, Inc.
Contact: Pamela Pittenger 740-384-6421 ext 40
OrEmail at
Ohio Development Services Agency Contact:
Penny Martin(614) 644-8774

HEAP Summer Crisis Program ENDS AUGUST 31, 2018
The Ohio Development Services Agency and Jackson-Vinton Community Action, Inc. (JVCAI) will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill and/or a window air conditioning unit, if eligibility requirements are met. The program is available from July 2, 2018 until August 31, 2018.
To apply for the program, customers are required to schedule an appointment with Jackson-Vinton Community Action by calling (740) 384-6421 or 1 (800) 686-4339.
Customers need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
  • Copies of their most recent energy bill(s)
  • A list of household members and proof of income for the last 30 days AND/OR 12 months for each member
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency for all household members
  • Current Photo ID for all household members over the age of 18
  • Copies of social security cards for all 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).
Notice: Required documentation MUST be provided in order to receive assistance through the SCP.
Last year more than 250 families in Jackson and Vinton counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
JVCAI is devoted to meeting the targeted needs of the community by providing the opportunities for families and individuals to be healthier, better educated, more independent and better able to advocate for their selves. Through the HEAP Summer Crisis Program, we are able to meet some of these targeted needs.
The Summer Crisis Program target is targeting income eligible households with an older family member (60 years or older), or family members that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed due to a household member'schronichealth condition. Conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma. The physician statement can be found on our website at .
Eligible households can receive monetary assistance with electric bills and/or a window air conditioning unit, provided they have not received one within the past three years. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $43,925.
Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program, but are encouraged to work with Jackson-Vinton Community Action to identify other opportunities for assistance.
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program locally, contact Pamela Pittenger at 740-384-6421 extension 40 or visit our website at For more information about energy assistance programs call (800) 282-0880 Monday through Friday (hearing impaired customers may dial 711 for assistance) and for a list of energy assistance providers select option 2, or visit