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Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Programs (HEAP) are an integral part of the social safety net for Ohio's older citizens. Many older adults with limited incomes rely on this assistance, and would not be able to get through the winter without it. This frail population is extremely vulnerable to temperature extremes; they are the first to succumb to respiratory illnesses and other ills due to freezing temperatures or deadly heat. For them, a lack of resources is a health issue as well as a financial one.
Last winter, 457,367 households received HEAP benefits. Almost 30 percent of those households included someone age 60 or older. Although households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for HEAP, more than half (65 percent) of HEAP recipient households had incomes that were less than 100 percent and almost half (47 percent) had household incomes below 75 percent of FPL. The number of eligible households applying for home energy assistance in Ohio has grown dramatically in the last four years (from 387,000 in 2008 to more than 457,000 in 2011), and demand is expected to increase again this year.
| Fiscal Year 2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines | |
| Size of Household |
Gross Annual Household Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | up to $21,780 |
| 2 | $29,420 |
| 3 | $37,060 |
| 4 | $44,700 |
| 5 | $52,340 |
| 6 | $59,980 |
| 7 | $67,620 |
| 8 | $75,260 |
| For households with more than eight members, add $7,640 per member | |
Because they have daily contact with older people and persons with disabilities, Ohio's area agencies on aging and their local community partners play a vital part in ensuring people who are in the most need can access HEAP benefits. During the 2010 - 2011 heating season, area agencies and their local outreach workers:
In addition, trained Ohio Benefit Bank counselors within Ohio's area agencies, local offices on aging and senior centers provided a new venue for assistance.
For 2010 - 2011, Ohio received approximately $235 million in federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds. Congress has not yet determined the 2012 allocation, but based on Obama administration recommendations, Ohio's allocation in 2012 may be as low as $130 million. Despite this uncertainty, the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Services, began distributing new applications in July to all of the households that received HEAP last year. Applications also were distributed to community action agencies, Second Harvest food banks, area agencies on aging, libraries, utility offices and other locations. In total, about 1.5 million applications are being distributed this summer. The application also is available online.
To be eligible for HEAP, a household must have total household income for the last 12 months (or the last 90 days) that is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Details about what sort of income is countable (e.g., social security disability) and what kinds are excluded (e.g. loan advances from a reverse mortgage) are available online, but advocates are cautioned not to try to pre-determine an individual's potential eligibility, which should always be left to the program administrators.
Social Security Numbers will be required for all household members, regardless of age. The Energy Assistance Application requests documentation of citizenship or resident alien status for all household members, but it will only be required for the primary applicant. Consumers also need to include proof of income for the past 12 months and provide a copy of a recent fuel or utility bill.
The amount of a utility consumer's one-time HEAP benefit will depend on federal funding levels, how many people live in the household, total household income and the primary fuel used to heat the home. Last year, the average benefit was $125. In most cases, the utility company or fuel vendor will credit the one-time benefit to the consumer's energy bill.
Home Energy Assistance Program
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
Aging Connection, published regularly by the Ohio Department of Aging, connects professionals in Ohio’s aging network to information and resources that can help them care for and serve our older citizens. Topics include the latest resources and best pactices within the aging network, state and federal programs and benefits, pending and recent policy and legislation that may impact older Ohioans, the latest research in gerontology and aging issues and more.
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