Executive Pry to Accept Ohio Fuel Fund Grant Applications in Twinsburg, Program Helps Low-Income Electrical Consumers in Need

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry's Department of Community and Economic Development will be accepting Ohio Fuel Fund Grant applications at the Sanctuary of Praise Church, located at 8788 Hadden Road in Twinsburg.

The Ohio Fuel Fund Grant program is an initiative that provides financial assistance to low-income electrical consumers in need; primarily, to citizens living in central, northeastern and northwestern Ohio.

The grant program is being sponsored by the following First Energy electric utility operating companies: the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and the Toledo Edison Co.

Qualified First Energy customers can receive a grant up to the amount of their delinquent balance, or $300 (the lesser amount of the two). All grants are distributed in the form of billing credits and can only be used for electrical usage.

To qualify for an Ohio Fuel Fund Grant, applicants must have: an active residential service account with First Energy (in the name of an adult resident), a pattern of "Good Faith" customer payments within the past 90 days, previously applied for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) & Emergency-HEAP and a total household income that is at, or below, 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline. `

To submit an application, citizens must present the following items in person:

• Proof of Identification (e.g.: drivers license, photo ID, social security card, birth certificate)
• Proof of Household Income (e.g.: pay stubs, social security check statements, W-2 forms, income tax records, HEAP documents)
• Proof of Electric Bill Balance (e.g.: most recent bill, termination notice)

All applications must be made in person. Citizens who have received Ohio Fuel Fund Grant assistance within the past 12 months are not eligible.