03/17/2026
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2026
Winter Crisis Program Began November 2025 and Ends March 31, 2026
The Ohio Department of Development and Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Program (MYCAP) will help income-eligible Ohioans stay warm during the cold winter months. The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying utility and bulk fuel bills, or assistance paying for heating system repairs for home owners. The Program runs from Nov. 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with MYCAP. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 330-778-2992. All regular WCP appointments are filled. However, those whose service is off or need a payment to transfer or get new service should call the appointment line at 2pm Monday through Thursday and schedule under the limited walk-in option which schedules for our next business day. Additionally, anyone who was unable to get an appointment and does not already have a Winter Crisis application started may walk into the office Tuesday March 31,2026 between the hours of 7:30-10:30 and 12:45-3:00. Home owners with no heat are also encouraged to use the walk-in option. Bulk fuel clients with 25% or less supply do not need to schedule and will be taken between 8am-11am and 1pm-4pm. On-line scheduling is also available using https://app.capappointments.com/
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
• Copies of their most recent utility bills.
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the past 30 days or 12 months if seasonally employed. Self-Employed need an IRS tax return transcript.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members. Ex: Birth Certificate, actual social security card, passport, alien registration documents.
• Proof of disability (if applicable).
• Photo ID for those 18 and over in the household.
• Additional Documentation may be required depending on household documentation provided.
• REQUIREMENT- If in a previous application your household was maintained with a support letter an IRS Tax Return Transcript will be required to complete your application. To obtains the IRS Tax Return Transcript go to IRS.gov or call 1-800-908-9946.
Last year more than 2,140 families in Mahoning County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.
Eligible households can receive up to $175.00 if they are a client of a regulated utility, $750.00 if they are a client of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The main heating source and/or related electric energy source must be either in disconnect status, have been terminated, need to establish new service, need to transfer service, have 25% (or less) of bulk fuel supply remaining or heating unit repair/replacement is needed. The assistance is applied to their utility bill and/or applied to system repair costs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines for households up to eight members, and 60% State Median Income (SMI) for households with nine or more members to qualify for assistance. An appointment no-show may result in utilities being shut off.
For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program, contact MYCAP at 330-747-7921. You can also visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
For more information, contact: Mason Waldvogel / [email protected]
MYCAP contact: Jennifer Yereb (330)747-7921 ext. 2211 / [email protected]
