CANI offering summer cooling assitance

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- CANI's Summer Cooling program, which provides families who were approved for the heating assistance program a $65 credit on their electric bill, begins June 4th and goes through August 31st.

The credit will be automatically applied after July 2, 2012.

If a client was approved for heating assistance this past year, but has moved since Oct. 3, 2011, he or she must make an appointment, and submit a current electric bill when requesting the $65 credit. If you did not apply for heating assistance between Oct. 3, 2011 and May 15, you must make an appointment for the cooling program.

You may be eligible for an air conditioner if you meet any one of the following criteria and have an Air Conditioner Certification Affidavit completed by a physician (found online at www.canihelp.org ):

- Elderly, which is over the age of 60, with a medical necessity
- Disabled, meaning you are receiving SSI/SSD or Veteran's benefits, with a medical necessity
- A child five or younger, with a medical necessity
- You must not have received an air conditioner from CANI within the past five (5) years

Appointments for air conditioners and summer cooling are made by calling (260) 423-3546 or (800) 589-2264, for CANI's main office at 227 E. Washington Blvd. in Fort Wayne and all county offices.

At any location, you must bring:
- Proof of gross income for the last 12 months for everyone in the household ages 18 and older
- Social Security card for everyone in the household
- Air Conditioner Certification Affidavit

The maximum yearly income allowed is:
- One-person household - No more than $16,335 annually
- Two-person household - No more than $22,065 annually
- Three-person household - No more than $27,795 annually
- Four-person household - No more than $33, 525 annually
- Add $5,730 for each additional family member

Please note this is not an emergency program. CANI does not call in benefits, nor can the program be used for disconnects.

CANI helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. For more information about CANI and the services provided, see www.canihelp.org .