Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Summer Crisis Program assisted nearly 750 households with utility bill help this past summer.

The program provided utility bill payment assistance, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning units or fans for eligible Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County households. In particular, the program assisted households with a senior member age 60 or older, or households with a member in need of cooling assistance due to health concerns. The program also served households with a utility shut-off notice or disconnected service, or households that were establishing new electric service.

With the close of the Summer Crisis Program, GLCAP will transition to the Winter Crisis Program beginning Nov. 1, 2026, and running through March 31, 2027, to assist households with heating utility payments during the cold-weather months. 

“Just as GLCAP helped households in the summer months, the Winter Crisis Program will be here for residents in the cold-weather months to ensure that households have heat during the season,” GLCAP Energy Assistance Specialist Cortney Sturgill said. 

The Winter Crisis Program serves 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 seven members must have income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $27,930 annual income for a household of one; $57,750 for a family of four). For households with eight or more members, income must be at or below 60% of the state median income.

Winter Crisis Program appointments will open Oct. 28. Appointments may be made online at www.glcap.org/winterheating, or by calling 419-463-2242 to schedule.