The Ohio Development of Development and Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency want to let Ohioans know that assistance is available to help with their heating bills this winter. The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program helps income-eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills and can assist with fuel tank placement, fuel tank testing, and furnace repair. The program will be open until March 31.

The Winter Crisis Program assists low-income households that have been disconnected (or have a pending disconnection notice for gas and/or electric), need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have a PIPP default, have 25% (or less) of bulk fuel or wood supply remaining, to help stay warm this winter. This program can also help with furnace repair. Water Heater Control Valve Replacement

When applying for the program, applicants must provide the following documentation.• Income verification for the last 30 days (document examples: pay stubs, child support printout, current year Social Security award letter, including disability benefits, public assistance, pension, etc)• If Self Employed, ledger showing last 12 months earnings and expenses, and most recently filed tax forms and schedules, or most recent IRS Account Transcript.• If Seasonally Employed, the last 12 months of paystubs are needed or seasonal employment form filled out.• Social Security cards or birth certificates for all household members, and Social Security numbers for all members of household.• Most recent gas and electric bills, propane/fuel oil invoice (even if assistance is not needed for both services).• If disabled, proof of disability• If zero income, need to know how you have been maintaining your household.(Food stamps, Metropolitan Housing, monetary assistance from someone outside the household, etc)

Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application and upload the required documents. If application is completed online, please call 740-777-9055 to schedule a phone appointment. If you do not have access to the internet and/or cannot upload your documentation, you can drop off your documentation at the agency or your documentation can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the local agency. To schedule a phone interview, please call our automated appointment line @ 740-777-9055.

Eligible households can receive a payment for their main heating source and/or their secondary heating source (electric). Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance.

For more information about the features of the Winter Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, contact Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency at 740-653-4146. Additional information can also be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880.

LANCASTER – February marks the start of American Heart Month, a nationwide initiative designed to raise awareness about risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular disease. It’s a mission that Fairfield Medical Center and its network of healthcare providers supports year round.

Preventing heart disease begins with wellness visits. In addition to understanding your family history, primary care providers use routine screenings to detect cardiac risk factors, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. When these conditions are recognized early, they can often be managed with medication or even reversed with appropriate lifestyle changes, such as:

If you have complex or worsening heart disease, your primary care provider can connect you with specialists for a more detailed evaluation and treatment. With three cardiovascular-specific practices, 10 specialty physicians, eight advanced practice providers and an expertly trained clinical staff, Fairfield Medical Center and the Fairfield Healthcare Professionals medical group are prepared to meet your cardiac needs.

In a mission to serve hearts across the region, Fairfield Medical Center offers access to advanced imaging and diagnostics, minimally invasive cardiac procedures – including stenting, valve replacement and electrophysiology interventions – as well as open-heart and vascular surgery. To promote holistic wellness and long term health, cardiac rehabilitation and specialty clinics are available for recovery, education and ongoing support.

Gas Pressure Regulator Learn more about primary care and cardiology providers near your by visting fmchealth.org.