TOLEDO, Ohio — The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio and the Ohio Department of Development are reminding older residents that help is available to manage home energy costs through the Winter Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP.
The program provides heating assistance to low-income households or those facing disconnection, have been recently shut off, or are establishing new electric service. It also supports households with a member age 60 or older who has a medical condition requiring cooling assistance, such as lung disease, COPD or asthma.
The Area Office on Aging says to qualify, households must have a gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for up to seven members, or 60% of the State Median Income for eight or more members. Benefits are paid directly to utility or fuel suppliers to help offset heating costs…