Winter Crisis Program assists more than 1,400 households

The Winter Crisis Program through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) helped 1,419 households in northwest Ohio with heating needs this winter.

The program, which ran Nov. 1, 2023-March 31, 2024, helped Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County residents with emergency utility payments to prevent shut-offs or restore utilities, or helped by replenishing propane, kerosene, or other heating supplies.

While Winter Crisis Program assistance has ended, GLCAP still provides year-round support through the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus program. PIPP Plus provides fixed monthly payments based on household income for customers on regulated utilities.

“PIPP Plus helps families on fixed incomes by setting predictable monthly payments for household utilities,” GLCAP Energy Assistance Specialist Cortney Sturgill said. “The program can even erase utility debt for customers who make on-time payments while enrolled in PIPP.”

PIPP Plus through GLCAP is available to Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County households at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines (e.g. $52,500/household of four). Details are available at www.glcap.org/pipp or by calling 567-432-5046 to set up an appointment.