Help for seniors

Summer Heat Information: If you need tips and help with beating the summer heat, call the Cleveland Dept. of Aging at 216-664-2833.

Summer Crisis Program: A special component of HEAP, the Summer Crisis Program, provides summer cooling assistance for low-income elderly households and for Ohioans with qualifying medical conditions. The program applies to electric utilities only.

What are the benefits? One-time payment assistance of up to $175 to be put towards: • Electric bill payment, • Air conditioning unit, or • Fan.

Who is eligible? • You do not have to be enrolled in PIPP or have received a disconnection notice to be eligible for the Summer Crisis Program. • Households must have a gross annual income of 200 percent of the federal poverty level and meet one of the following criteria: Have a member of the household who is at least 60 years old; or provide physician documentation of medical necessity.

How do I sign up? Applications for the Summer Crisis Program are accepted from July 1 through August 31. Call 216-263-6269 to sign up.

Yard Help: The Greater Cleveland Boy Scouts will organize scout troops to rake the yards for 800 Cleveland seniors this year. The leaf-raking will take place on November 13. There are a few spots still open! Sign-up is on a first come, first serve basis. Call 216-664-3998.

Additional Help: There are many other programs available to assist seniors. South Collinwood residents should call the Collinwood & Nottingham Villages Development Corporation at 216-383-9772 or look online at www.cnvdc.org.