Assistance available for Ohio Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19

  Posted on July 18, 2022

For Immediate Release

 

ONTARIO, OH - The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, inc. is proud to announce funding available through the Utilities Assistance Plus Program to assist homeowners in Knox and Ashland Counties.

 

The Utilities Assistance Plus (UAP) program, is part of the Save the Dream Ohio program, a program administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Authority (OHFA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Homeowner Assistance Fund. It is designed to prevent homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, from losing utilities or home energy services, and to prevent defaults, foreclosures, and displacements of homeowners when that default, foreclosure, or displacement is due to the inability to pay property taxes and/or homeowner fees.

 

Eligible for payment through the UAP program includes:

• Natural Gas • Electricity, including from renewable sources
• Bulk fuel, including propane, fuel oil, coal, and wood, for a maximum 10-day supply or up to 25% of a fuel tank • Water • Sewer • Trash Removal, including separate recycling fees, if required • Broadband internet service • Disconnection and reconnection fees

Insurance and Homeowner Fees - The following homeowner fees are eligible for payment through the UAP program:

• Homeowners insurance • Flood insurance • Mortgage insurance
• Homeowners association fees or lien • Condominium association fees • Common charges
• Other – The cost must be a requirement for residency, and the applicant must provide an explanation and document the cost

To be eligible for the UAP program the homeowner must be:

• 18 years of age and older
• Be a homeowner with primary residence in Ohio
• Experienced a financial hardship, loss of income or increase in expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Owe less than $548,250 on your mortgage.

Every homeowner’s situation is different, so the amount of assistance you may receive will be specific to your needs. The maximum amount of assistance is $10,000.

There are no fees with this program. Be aware of calls or solicitors from anyone offering to assist you in return for payment. Please contact the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, inc. for more information at 419-524-4144, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm. If you do not reside in Knox or Ashland County, you may still qualify for assistance.