With a snowfalls and temperatures setting winter records around the area, residents in the WSOS
four-county service area of Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Seneca counties are reaching out in great
numbers for assistance from the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP).
A total of 479 households were approved for assistance with paying their heating bills in January. This
is the most that WSOS has ever served in January. However, this number is less that those served in
December when 710 were approved for assistance.
Since the 2011 program started in November, a total of 1,851 households have received assistance. The
2010 program provided assistance to 2,898 for the entire five month program.
In January, the following explains how many were served in each of the WSOS four-county service area:
¥ Sandusky – 121 households for a total of $37,660
¥ Seneca – 120 households for a total of $30,106
¥ Wood – 150 households for a total of $42,050
¥ Ottawa – 88 households for a total of $29,885
Residents eligible for assistance through this program must have incomes no more than 200 percent of the
federal poverty guidelines. This means that households with one person should earn less than $21,660 or
four-person households should have incomes less than $44,100.
Assistance from EHEAP is for one-time only per heating season. These households receive up to $175 one
time for electric and other utilities, and up to $600 for those who use propane and have less than a
10-day supply left in the tank.
These residents may also apply for regular HEAP. Regular HEAP also provides a one-time per heating season
assistance with paying some heating bills. Applicants must file their applications themselves. WSOS has
applications available and can assist applicants with the forms. Both EHEAP and HEAP operate until March
31.
In addition, Columbia Gas has made available a small fund to assist its customers with paying their
Columbia Gas bills. These residents can also receive assistance through this fund in addition to
assistance from EHEAP.
Appointments are required to apply for assistance through EHEAP. Effective Jan. 1, residents in Sandusky
and Ottawa counties requesting assistance should to call the Fremont office at (419) 334-5126 to
schedule an appointment. Those in Fostoria should contact the office in Fostoria at (419) 435-4884,
while those in Wood County and the rest of Seneca County should contact the Tiffin office at (419)
447-0084.