July 17, 2020 – The Ohio Development Services Agency is extending the length of the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program this year, as well as expanding eligibility requirements. The changes have been made to accommodate circumstances due to the health crisis the nation is experiencing.

Last year, the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 270 families in need of crisis assistance. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or used to purchase fans or air conditioning units.

July 3, 2020 –Wyoming has received additional funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to aid low-income households in paying energy bills. Wyoming received a total of $2.4 million to help low-income families pay heating and energy bills amidst the circumstances of COVID-19.

June 19, 2020 – Ohio will begin providing crisis assistance to low-income households through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) on July 1. The Ohio Summer Crisis Program assists eligible Ohioans pay for utility bills and air conditioning units and repairs.

June 1, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released two information memoranda regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Income Guidelines. The guidelines are optional for implementation in FY20 and mandatory for implementation in FY21.

May 22, 2020 – Resources on low-income energy burden have recently been released by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The resources are for those launching or engaging in programs intended to address low-income energy issues.