Utility Help Procedures Changing Soon

Lorain County Community Action Agency manages a range of energy services programs designed to help low-income residents stay warm, stay healthy and stay connected. During 2021, LCCAA will be updating procedures to make services more accessible and more efficient.

“We have seen a major jump in demand for crisis services over the past year,” said Planning and Community Services Director Bobby Taylor. “New procedures at the state level will allow us to focus staff time on true emergencies.”

Taylor noted that only certain requests require an appointment – currently being conducted by phone due to COVID-19 – and that most services can be accessed by completing an Energy Assistance Application with the State of Ohio online or by mail. Applications are found at energyhelp.gov and can be completed there or printed for mailing.

Programs managed at LCCAA include:

Winter Crisis – for people who are without heat or who have received a disconnect notice. This program operates from Nov. 1 to March 31 annually. Households must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

Home Energy Assistance Program – for people who have heat, but need assistance paying their bill. This assistance is offered once per heating season between October and April to households at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

Summer Crisis - for people who need air conditioning or help paying electric bills during the summer months. Additional criteria typically apply for this program offered in July and August to those living at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan – for people who want to budget their payments in order to stay out of a crisis situation. Must live at or below 150% of the federal poverty line.

Appointments may be made with LCCAA by visiting app.capappointments.com. Those with a pending disconnection notice must provide an account number to place a hold on the disconnection. Missing or rescheduling the appointment may result in disconnection.

For now, LCCAA will continue to accept appointment requests for all types of assistance. In the months ahead, non-crisis services will be redirected to energyhelp. ohio.gov to make services more readily available to those facing a genuine emergency.

For additional details on all programs, including required documents, please visit www.lccaa.net.