09/01/2026
@followers
Summer Crisis Program Began July 1
More than 55,000 Ohio households served in 2025
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.
From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP).
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households and those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with a household member age 60 or older and/or a household member with a documented medical condition. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $57,750.
Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 55,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $12.4 million in benefits.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with MYCAP. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 330-778-2992.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
• Copies of their most recent energy bills.
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
• Proof of disability (if applicable).
• Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health.
• 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.
Appointments are added every Monday morning or the first business day of the week to schedule for Summer Crisis. You can also call at 2pm Monday thru Thursday, choose the walk-in option which will get you a next day appointment. Scheduling either way requires that you remain on the call till the confirmation number is given for the appointment to be scheduled.
Sept 30th from 7:30-10:30 am and 1-3 pm we will be accepting walk-ins for those who were unable to schedule a Summer Crisis Appointment, first come first serve basis.
Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for assistance, or central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, contact Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership at 330-747-7921. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
For Immediate Release: September 01, 2026
For more information, contact MYCAP:
Jennifer Yereb (330)747-7921 Ext 2211
[email protected]
