Mason and Deerfield Township households struggling to keep the lights on or the air conditioning running can apply for state assistance through the end of September.
Warren County Community Services is scheduling appointments for the Ohio Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program, which provides a one-time benefit to help income-eligible residents pay electric bills, buy an air conditioner or fan, or repair a central air conditioning unit. The program opened July 1 and runs through Sept. 30.
Severe storms on Tuesday, Aug. 11, knocked out power to roughly 2,600 Warren County customers at peak, according to the Springfield News-Sun. About 688 remained without electricity as of the morning of Aug. 12. The storms were part of a regional system that left at least 250,000 Ohio customers in the dark; Gov. Mike DeWine warned that flood dangers would persist beyond Tuesday night.
Residents who received a disconnection notice, lost service, or need to establish new electric service after the outages may qualify. The program also covers households with a member age 60 or older or a member with a documented medical condition such as lung disease, COPD or asthma.
Who qualifies
Income limits are based on 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2026, the caps by household size are:
- 1 person: $27,930
- 2 people: $37,870
- 3 people: $47,810
- 4 people: $57,750
- 5 people: $67,690
- 6 people: $77,630
- 7 people: $87,570
Households enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) who meet the income criteria may also be eligible, according to Warren County Community Services.
What to bring
Applicants need the following at their appointment:
- Most recent energy bills
- List of all household members and proof of income for the past 30 days or 12 months
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- Proof of disability, if applicable
- Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a medical condition, if applicable
How to apply
Call Warren County Community Services at 513-970-6737 to schedule an appointment. The deadline is Sept. 30.
Statewide, the program assisted more than 55,000 Ohio households in 2025, distributing $12.4 million in benefits, according to ABC 6. The program is now administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which took over from the Ohio Department of Development in April.
Residents outside Warren County can find their local energy assistance provider at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
Coming up
- Sept. 30 — Final day to apply for the Summer Crisis Program. Call 513-970-6737.
- Sept. 2 — WCPO 9 listening event in downtown Mason.
