The Community Action Organization of Delaware, Madison and Union Counties (now serving Champaign, Logan and Shelby Counties) and Ohio Development Services Agency say they will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months.

Through the Home Energy Assistance-Summer Crisis Program, eligible Ohioans can receive assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs until Aug. 31.

In 2014, 1,174 households in Delaware, Madison, Union, Champaign, Logan and Shelby counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program provides assistance to low-income households with an elderly member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. This can include lung disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; or asthma.

Eligible households can receive up to $250, if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $300, if they are a customer of unregulated utilities, such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, in assistance applied to their utility bill or applied to central air-conditioning repair costs. 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 $42,437.50.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP Plus) are not eligible for bill payment assistance through the program.

For more information, contact the Community Action Organization at 800-858-4452. Additional information can also be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling 800-282-0880.