MEOAG | Muskingum Economic Opportunity Action Group Inc.

Programs

Home Energy Assistance Program

To set an appointment for the Winter Crisis Program or Summer Crisis Program, please call the automated phone scheduling system (IVR) at 1-740-302-8404 and choose option #2 or the hearing impaired IVR TTDY system at 1-702-676-1834.

The Community Action Agency of Muskingum County has served low to moderate-income residents of Muskingum County for 50 years. Our current energy assistance programs include E-HEAP and HEAP. E-HEAP is run currently as two programs. The Winter Crisis Program is designed to assist area residents in case of a shutoff on their main or secondary heating source, or who have less than a ten-day supply of bulk fuel. The Summer Crisis Program SCP was established to assist low to moderate income families (especially seniors) with the high cost of summer electric bills, and to provide an air conditioner to individuals with a qualifying medical condition.

Winter Crisis Program operates from November 1st , thru March 31st annually. It is designed to assist eligible, low to medium income families and individuals with a one-time payment towards their main and/or secondary heating source. Assistance with furnace repair is also available.

Summer Crisis Program operates July 1^st thru September 30^st annually, and assists low to moderate-income families and individuals with their electric bill and furnishes air conditioners to individuals with a qualifying medical condition.

Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) allows eligible customers to make lower utility payments according to their current income. There are three ways to apply for PIPP.

1. PIPP applications can be completed online at https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/apply-now-energy-assistance-programs

2. An application can be downloaded (English version) (Spanish version), printed, completed and submitted with required documentation by mail to: Energy Assistance Programs, P.O. Box# 1240, Columbus, Ohio 43216

3. An appliction can be completed and submitted with required documentation at: M.E.O.A.G. Inc., 828 Lee St., Zanesville, Ohio 43701

For more infromation about HEAP, WCP, SCP or PIPP, contact the Muskingum County Community Action Agency at 1-740-453-5278 X109 or HEAP_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com.

Ohio Energy Assistance Program Application 2024-2025 English Version

Ohio Energy Assistance Program Application 2024-2025 Spanish Version

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is designed to reduce energy consumption and lower utility cost to income eligible households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. It accomplishes this through the initialization of Energy Conservation Measures in eligible households.

This program is offered to homeowners and renters, but landlords may be required to make a financial contribution.

The main measures provided by the program include:

Consumer Education
Attic & Sidewall Insulation
House Diagnostics
Heating System Inspections
Tune-Up & Repairs

The Weatherization Program also works with the Columbia Gas Warm Choice Program which has a seperate income guideline.

2024-25 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines used for Columbia Gas Warm Choice Program		2024-25 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines used for Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
Size of Household	Total Gross Annual Household Income	Size of Household	Total Gross Annual Household Income
1	$30,120	1	$30,120
2	$40,880	2	$40,880
3	$51,640	3	$51,640
4	$62,400	4	$62,400
5	$73,160	5	$73,160
6	$83,920	6	$83,920
7	$94,680	7	$94,680
8	$105,440	8	$105,440
For households with more than 8 members add $10,760 for each family member		For households with more than 8 members add $10,760 for each family member

Warm Choice Flyer 2024 (download)

For more information on the Home Weatherization Assistance Program contact Tessie Wilson at 740-454-1310 X113 or tessie_meoag@yahoo.com

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)

Grantor’s Business Response Line (BRL) web-link http://development.ohio.gov/contactus/ContactInfo.aspx

COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM

This Community Services Program is possible through the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) and is intended to help low to moderate income families’ deal with life’s unexpected circumstances and provide the support for families to fulfill their day to day obligations and goal for self-sufficiency. *The Community Services Program focuses on providing financial literacy education and guidance to individuals and families who seek assistance. Whenever possible CSBG dollars will be leveraged with other funding sources and programs to best fulfill the family’s needs.

The Community Services Program can assist with:

Rental assistance
Water payments
Kinship Plus

For more information on the Community Services Program contact Erin Tuttle at 740-454-1310 X112 or erin_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

The TANF program is made possible through Muskingum County Job & Family Services and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program is intended to help low to moderate income families within Muskingum County deal with life’s unexpected circumstances and provide the support for families to fulfill their day-to-day obligations to promote self-sufficiency. TANF dollars can be leveraged with other funding sources and programs to best fulfill the family’s needs.

This program is only available from October 1, 2024 until September 30, 2025 or until funding is exhausted. (whichever comes first).

Do you have underage children in your home or are you a non-custodial parent paying child support at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)? If so, you may be eligible for TANF Assistance.

Assistance available:

Rental Assistance (Needs Late Notice or Eviction Notice)
Water Assistance (Needs Late Notice or Disconnect Notice)
Hot Water Heater Repair/Replacement Program (Must be the residential homeowner)

TANF Flyer (download)

For more information on the TANF program contact Erin Tuttle at 1-740-454-1310 X112 or erin_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

The Muskingum Economic Opportunity Action Agency (Community Action) has recognized that there is a need for decent, safe, affordable housing for the low-moderate income residents of Muskingum County.

Since 1993 we have applied for a number of Local, State, and Federal Grants that have made this goal a reality.

Our completed projects include four senior complexes, three home ownership projects, three apartment complexes and six permenant supporitve housing (PSH) units.

As we look to the future we will be looking at ways that we can provide more affordable housing, while working with other agencies that have the same goal of producing safe, sanitary, affordable housing for the low/moderate income families of Muskingum County.

Eagle View Apartments

80 Units
Offering 2,3, & 4 bedroom apartments
Located west of Zanesville, Ohio
For leasing info contact: Tequilla McKnight 1-740-450-4512

Falls Manor

32 Units
Senior Housing - ages 55 and up
Offering 2 & 3 bedroom apartments
Located West of Zanesville, Ohio
For leasing info contact: Merna Spires 1-740-450-7011

Troon Crossing

60 Units
Single family lease purchase & townhouse apartments
Offering 2, 3 & 4 bedroom units
Located east of Zanesville, Ohio
For leasing info contact: Valerie Coffey 1-740-452-9439

Fairway Vista

37 units, including 6 Permenant Supportive Housing (PSH) units
Offering 2, 3, and 4 bedroom untis
Rents are based on income through the Project Based Housing Choice Voucher Program
Located in Nashort, Ohio (North of Zanesville, Ohio)
For leasing info contact Nicole Brewer 1-740-452-7119

Valley View Place

34 units
Senior Housing - ages 55 and up
Offering 1 & 2 bedroom units
Located west of Zanesville, Ohio
For leasing info contact Jennifer Stoops 1-740-588-9055

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS FAMILIES (SSVF)

The goal of the SSVF program is to promote housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. The SSVF program can assist eligible veterans, through case management, to secure stable housing if facing eviction or if they are homeless. Veterans who are imminently at risk of losing their housing work with case managers to provide needed temporary financial assistance, linkage with community and VA benefits and a plan to improve their housing stability Veterans can call to discuss the program and eligibility requirements.

For more information on the SSVF program contact Michael Hood (SSVF_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com) 1-740-454-1310 X118 or Erin Tuttle (erin_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com) at 1-740-454-1310 X112

HOMELESS CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM (HCRP)

The Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP) helps those who are on the brink of homelessness. It helps eligible clients maintain the housing that they are currently residing in or to move into more stable housing. However, this is not an emergency shelter program or connected through Section 8 Housing Assistance. Its goal is to end homelessness and work towards housing security. Assistance is limited and based on individual need. In order to qualify, the client must be nearly homeless; this means that they will be evicted. Eligibility will be determined by the case manager.

For more information on the HCRP program contact Michael Hood (mike_meoag@yahoo.com) 1-740-454-1310 X118 or Erin Tuttle (erin_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com) at 1-740-454-1310 X112

Ohio BoSCoC's HMIS Data Privacy Notice

Muskingum County Community Resources

ELECTRIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (EPP)

Partnering with American Electric Power (AEP), the Electrical Partnership Program offers help in lowering utility bills. Through EPP, an energy auditor comes to the home of a client to assess the amount of electricity being used. The Customers receive energy efficient light bulbs at the time of the visit for those lights that are used the most. The client’s refrigerator is also tested for efficiency and may be replaced if it is not efficient. Visits usually yield the customer a savings of $100-200 annually on their electric bill. Some, who have inefficient appliances, will yield a larger savings on their electric bill.

In order to qualify for the program, the client must be an AEP customer who is on PIPP, receiving HEAP assistance or be at or below 175% federal income level of poverty. If someone has received weatherization services, they will also qualify. You must have lived at your current residence for at least one year.

2024-2025 EPP Income Guidelines

EPP Brochure

M.E.O.A.G. INC. SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Mission Statement:

The mission of the M.E.O.A.G. Inc Scholarship Fund is to provide financial assistance to students who a) are residents of Muskingum County, b) want to attend institutions of higher education, but c) lack the required resources.

Purposes:

To enable students to attend an accredited institution of higher education through the awarding of scholarship assistance up to One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00)

To increase participation rates of the M.E.O.A.G. Inc service area students who attend instutions of higher education.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, an applicant must:

Be a resident of Muskingum County service area for at least one year prior to the application deadline,
Reside in a household with a total annual income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (Included with application)
Have obtained or will obtain a high school degree or GED,
Have proof of acceptance by an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution of higher education.
Preference will be given to applicants planning to attend a College or University located in Ohio’s Appalachian area.
Preference will be given to applicants that also apply for the David V. Stivision Appalachian Scholarship through The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD). Please check with your Guidance Counselor for an application or they may be picked up at the M.E.O.A.G Inc located at 828 Lee Street Zanesville, Ohio.
Submit completed application and documentation by May 1st to be considered for funding for the academic year beginning in September of that year.
Employees and Board members of M.E.O.A.G. Inc and their immediate family are ineligible.

Application Procedures:

Eligible applicants will be required to submit a completed application form provided by M.E.O.A.G. Inc according to the instructions given. Applications will be solicited from area high schools located in Muskingum County. Non-traditional students may apply directly to M.E.O.A.G. Inc.

Applicants not selected may re-apply the following year if all other eligibility criteria have been met. Applicants who are awarded first-year scholarship assistance may apply for additional years of scholarship assistance. However, no such assistance is guaranteed.

Information on the David V. Stivision Appalachian Scholarship can be found here: http://new.coadinc.org/scholarships/

Further Information:

For further information about the M.E.O.A.G. Inc Scholarship Fund, please contact:

Steve Wilson, Executive Director

M.E.O.A.G. Inc

Community Action Agency of Muskingum County

828 Lee Street

Zanesville, Ohio 43701

740-453-5703 Ext: 101

E-mail address: steve_meoag@midohio.twcbc.com

2024 MEOAG Inc. Scholarship info and application (PDF download)

2024 COAD David A. Stivison Scholarship Application Checklist (PDF download)