Emergency HEAP appointments to be made

Staff report

Youngstown

The Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership will begin to schedule appointments for Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program through its Interactive Voice Response system beginning Monday.

Potential applicants must call to make an appointment before coming in to complete an application. The 24-hour, seven-day-a week toll-free number is 1-866-223-1125. A limited number of walk-ins will be taken starting at 7 a.m.

Walk-ins are for individuals whose service or services have already been disconnected. Customers whose services are off need to call the utility company and set up service and bring their account numbers with them.

Those whose electric service is off and going back on their name at the same residence must pay the $35 reconnect fee before coming and bring a receipt.

Emergency HEAP provides assistance to low-income households that have had utility service terminated, face the threat of disconnection or have a less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel.

A maximum, one-time payment of up to $175 per heating season is from Nov. 1 to March 31, 2011, is allowed under the program guidelines to restore or retain services. Bulk-fuel households are eligible for up to $600. Customers using coal/wood are eligible for up to $350.

If your service is not in disconnect status, applications for Ohio’s regular Home Energy Assistance Program through Columbus are also available at various locations throughout the county.

Regular HEAP pays a one-time portion of eligible household heating bills based on winter usage.

Applications may be picked up between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Churches, organizations or agencies that need applications are urged to call MYCAP at 330-747-7921 ext. 1128.