{"id":10530,"date":"2025-01-01T17:46:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T17:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=10530"},"modified":"2025-01-01T17:46:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T17:46:07","slug":"step-forwards-winter-crisis-program-urges-residents-to-apply-for-energy-assistance-as-temperature-drops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/01\/step-forwards-winter-crisis-program-urges-residents-to-apply-for-energy-assistance-as-temperature-drops\/","title":{"rendered":"Step Forward\u2019s Winter Crisis Program Urges Residents to Apply for Energy Assistance as Temperature Drops"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Cleveland, December 26, 2024: <\/strong>Step Forward’s Energy Assistance Services is urging Cuyahoga County residents to apply for the Winter Crisis Program as the winter season begins.<\/p>\n

The program is designed to help eligible residents who are at risk of disconnection, have already been disconnected, or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain their utility service. The program provides a one-time emergency benefit to help families maintain their utility services during the colder months.<\/p>\n

“We understand that many residents are still struggling to keep up with their utility bills,” said Jackie Boehnlein, Step Forward\u2019s Vice President of Community Services. “The Winter Crisis Program remains one of our most in-demand services. To help residents make the most of their time, we want to ensure they are aware of the energy assistance programs available so they can choose the option that best meets their needs.”<\/p>\n

Since the winter crisis program opened in November, Step Forward Energy Assistance Services staff have processed 387 applications.<\/p>\n

In October, Step Forward updated crisis appointment scheduling to include two categories:\u00a0“reconnection” appointments\u00a0<\/strong>for households without active service and\u00a0“disconnection notice” appointments\u00a0<\/strong>for those with an impending shutoff notice. All crisis appointments are scheduled through a single system, accessible online or by phone, to ensure fair, first-come, first-served access.<\/p>\n

To apply for the program, clients must schedule an appointment by calling\u00a0(216) 480-HEAP<\/strong>\u00a0or online at\u00a0stepforward.itfrontdesk.com<\/a>. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are not accepted. After confirmation of a scheduled appointment is received, clients must complete an online application at\u00a0energyhelp.ohio.gov<\/a>, the application portal for Ohio Energy Assistance Programs.<\/p>\n

Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For example, a family of four (4), the annual income must be at or below $52,500.00. Clients applying for annual HEAP benefits or reverifying for PIPP will not be served by appointment should a client erroneously schedule themselves.<\/p>\n

For more information about Step Forward and its Energy Assistance Services and programs, visit<\/p>\n

offerings, visit\u00a0www.stepforwardtoday.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cleveland, December 26, 2024: Step Forward’s Energy Assistance Services is urging Cuyahoga County residents to apply for the Winter Crisis Program as the winter season begins. The program is designed to help eligible residents who are at risk of disconnection, have already been disconnected, or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_rtcl_gb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[236],"class_list":["post-10530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ohio"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t