CHESHIRE — The Gallia Meigs Community Action Agency will begin assisting residents with the 2009 Emergency Summer Cooling Program on July 1.

Sandra Edwards, Emergency Services Division director, stated that the program will run through Aug. 31 or until the funds are depleted. There will be no air conditioners during this program year. Income eligible persons must make an appointment. There are two types of households that may be assisted. They are as follows:

(1) An income eligible household with a member who has a current qualifying medical condition/breathing disorder verified by physician documentation from a medical professional may be qualified to receive the following:

• ONE payment for a current electric bill or PIPP, whichever is more, but not to exceed $175. (no disconnect required.)

(2) An income eligible household with a member who is 60 or older is eligible to receive:

• One payment for electric bill up to the current bill or PIPP, whichever is more, but not to exceed $175. (No disconnect required and no physician documentation required.)

Priority will be given to elderly clients. Appointments can be made by calling our Cheshire Office each Friday, beginning June 26. To make an appointment, please call 367-7341 for Gallia County and 992-6629 for Meigs County.

Eligible clients must bring:

1. Proof of income (income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines). (See below)

2. Names, Birth dates and Social Security numbers of all household members.

3. Electric bills (Must be in applicant or spouse’s name

4. Medical documentation if under 60 years of age.

Without documentation assistance will not be given.

Annual income eligibility for one person in the household is $18,952.50, two persons $25,497.50, three persons $32,042.50, four persons $38,587.50, five persons $45,132.50 and six persons $51,677.50. For households with more than six (6) members, add $6,545 per member.

Edwards stated that applications will be taken Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Gallipolis Office, 859 Third Avenue and the Cheshire Office, 8010 N. SR 7. Applications in the Middleport Office, 1369 Powell Street, will be taken on Wednesdays only.