The HEAP/Winter Crisis Program (WCP) will begin November 3, 2014. The federal income guidelines for the program year 2014/2015 remain at 175% of the federal poverty level.

Applications will be taken in both Washington and Morgan Counties Monday through Friday from 8:00 am. to 4:30 pm. In Washington County, face to face interviews for the Winter Crisis Program are held at the Community Action office at 218 Putnam Street in Marietta and in Morgan County at the Community Action office at 50 Third Street, Malta.

To be income eligible, a household must have total household income for at least 12 months or 13 weeks equal to or less than 175% of the federal poverty guidelines. A family of two (2) can make equal to, or less than $27,527.50 annually and a family of four (4) can make equal or less than $41,737.50 annually.

The primary purpose of the Winter Crisis Program is to ensure no household in an emergency situation goes without heat. Eligible households can obtain a delivery of bulk fuel if they are down to less than 25% of fuel or less than a 10 day supply. WCP will also assist households one time per program year with a disconnect notice or restoration of gas or electric service. The assistance can prevent shut off, get new service connected, or have service reconnected if the service is off.

Beginning this program year (2014/2015), when a client reports zero income without receiving help from a household or non-household member, the client will be required by the State of Ohio to submit an IRS Tax Transcript. Households reporting zero income who were not required to file taxes can request a copy of a "Verification of Non-filing Status Transcript." There are four ways in which a client can request an IRS Transcript; this information may be obtained by calling the Washington County office at 740.373.3745 or the Morgan County office at 740.962.3827. When a zero-income household is up for disconnect, the application CANNOT be processed without the transcript; there are NO EXCEPTIONS. Consequences will result for customers who have income, but are not reporting that income.

Applicants are required to bring the following documentation to the face to face interview: proof of income for the past 13 weeks for all household members who are age 18 and above; both gas and electric bills regardless of account status; proof of disability if disabled; social security numbers for all household members; and birth dates for all household members.

Regular HEAP applications do not require a face to face interview and can be mailed directly to the State. Those requiring assistance with the Regular HEAP application may visit one of the above Community Action offices during regular office hours.

Applicants for the Winter Crisis Program and those requiring assistance with their Regular HEAP applications should be aware that there may be long waiting periods. Appointments will not be taken.

For more information on the Home Energy Assistance Programs in Washington County call (740) 373-3745 and in Morgan County call (740) 962-3827.