Winter Crisis Program Available November 1 through March 31

Winter Crisis Program Available November 1 through March 31

GLOUSTER – Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), in partnership with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, will once again offer assistance to help eligible residents stay warm during the winter months through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP).

The Winter Crisis Program runs from November 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Eligible households in Hocking, Athens, and Perry counties may receive assistance if they are facing a home emergency.

An emergency may include:

• Receiving a disconnection notice for electric or natural gas service;
• Having a service disconnected;
• Needing to establish new service;
• Or having less than 25% of a tank of bulk fuel, such as propane, fuel oil, coal, or kerosene. Households that rely on firewood may qualify if they have less than a 10-day supply.
• Furnace Repair needed (for homeowners only).

To qualify, households must meet income requirements and be experiencing an eligible home energy emergency. Household income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a family of four, that is $57,750.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling (740) 868-1908, and are available by phone or in person. Residents may also schedule appointments online at hapcap.org/heapappt. Walk in appointments are also available Monday-Thursday starting at 8:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis until all appointment spots are filled.

Residents should not wait until the date of their disconnect to seek assistance as we cannot guarantee an appointment.

Applicants must bring:

• Copies of their most recent utility bills for their primary heating source and electricity;
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days for each member;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;
• Proof of disability (if applicable);
• For furnace repair applicants, a copy of invoice and/or estimate from a qualified and insured heating technician.

Eligible households may receive assistance with regulated and non-regulated utility bills, bulk heating fuel, firewood, or furnace repairs. Furnace repair assistance is available to eligible homeowners. Assistance is limited to once per heating season, and benefits are provided on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.

Benefit Amounts:

• Regulated utilities up to $175.00 (AEP, Columbia Gas)
• Non-regulated utilities up to $750.00 (South Central Power, Glouster Electric, etc.)
• Bulk Fuels up to $1,200.00 for a one-time fill (propane, fuel, oil, etc.)
• Firewood up to $650.00
• Furnace repair up to $1,500.00 (for homeowners only).

Please note the unit repair/replacement is a separate benefit. The maximum benefit is listed for each category and cannot exceed the benefit type.

Winter can be a challenging time for individuals and families, especially when rising energy costs make it difficult to keep a home warm and utilities on. No one should have to face the winter months worrying about how they will heat their home. HAPCAP is here to help eligible residents in Hocking, Athens, and Perry counties navigate these challenges by connecting them with assistance to help keep their homes warm and safe. If you or someone you know is struggling with home energy costs this winter, we encourage you to reach out to HAPCAP to learn more about available support.

For more information about the Winter Crisis Program or application requirements, contact HAPCAP at (740) 767-4500. Residents in Hocking and Perry counties may also call (740) 385-6813.