Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) served 706 clients through its Summer Crisis Program (SCP) this year, helping residents in Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties stay safe and cool during the hottest months.

The SCP provides utility bill assistance, central air repairs, or air conditioning units or fans to qualifying households. The program assists households with a senior member age 60 or older, or a member with physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for his or her health. The program also helps households that have a disconnect notice or already have a utility shut-off, or households that are trying to establish new service on their electric bill.

With the close of the summer program, GLCAP is now preparing for the Winter Crisis Program (WCP), which will begin Nov. 1. The WCP serves Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County households that are at risk of a utility shut-off, have disconnected utilities, or need to establish or transfer new service. The program also helps households that have a 25% or less supply of bulk fuel such as fuel oil or propane.
 
To qualify, households of up to eight members must have income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $27,387.50 annual income for a household of one; $56,262.50 for a family of four). For households with nine or more members, income must be at or below 60% of the state median income.

Appointments for the WCP will open the last week of October. Appointments can be made online at glcap.org/winterheating or by calling 419-273-4212.

For more information about GLCAP’s energy assistance programs, visit glcap.org/utilityhelp.