​Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) is still accepting call-ins for the Summer Crisis Program (SCP).  The program runs through September 30th, and may be able to assist households with a portion of their electric bill and provide a window air conditioner and/or fan to help with summer heat. 
To be eligible, households must be at or below 175% of poverty, and meet one of the following criteria:

• An electric bill that is in danger of disconnect, OFF, needs new service established or transfer of service.
• An electric bill with PIPP default, or wants to enroll on PIPP
• A household member that is 60 or older.
• A statement signed by a physician that states a household member has a medical condition that would be improved by continued electric service or air conditioning or been diagnosed with COVID-19. 
• A statement from a household member that they have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

In order to be eligible for an air conditioner or fan(s), you may not have received one through HEAP for the past 3 program years (2018, 2019, 2020).
CAC will continue to have call-ins Monday through Thursday mornings starting at 8am.  Call-ins are limited and will be first come first serve until all available appointments have been filled for the day.  These appointments go very quickly and are generally filled by 8:30am.   
To determine eligibility, you will be required to provide the following documents:

• Most recent 30 days of household income (unless self-employed or seasonal, then 12 months of income is required)
• most recent heating bill
• most recent electric bill
• social security numbers for all household members
• proof of citizenship for all household members (can be birth certificate or social security card)
• proof of age if 60 or older
• medical form if under 60 years old
• proof of disability if applicable
• If claiming zero household income your specific situation will require other documents, and tax transcripts for all adult household members may be needed.
• Individual circumstances sometimes require additional documentation.

All HEAP services are offered via phone interview at this time.
To can apply online for HEAP and PIPP visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov
Portage County residents can get on the call-in schedule by calling 330-297-1456 ext 0.  If you would like to speak to someone, call 330-297-1456 and press 1 for HEAP.  At this time scheduled appointments are booked through September 30th, however if there are cancellations, appointments may become available.  To check appointment availability call our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303. 

The Community Action Council of Portage County is administering the Summer Crisis Cooling Program from July 1st through September 30th.
This program can provide assistance on electric bills, and families may be eligible for a window air conditioning unit and/or fans.
To qualify for assistance, households must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, and meet one of the following criteria:

• An electric bill that is in danger of disconnect, OFF, needs new service established or transfer of service.
• An electric bill with PIPP default, or wants to enroll on PIPP
• A household member that is 60 or older.
• A statement signed by a physician that states a household member has a medical condition that would be improved by continued electric service or air conditioning.
• A household member has been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the past 12 months.    
• In order to be eligible for an air conditioner or fan(s), you may not have received one through HEAP for the past 3 program years (2018, 2019, 2020).

To determine eligibility, the following documents are needed:

• Most recent 30 days of household income (unless self-employed or seasonal, then 12 months of income is required). km
• most recent heating bill
• most recent electric bill
• social security numbers for all household members
• proof of citizenship (can be birth certificate or social security card)
• proof of age if 60 or older
• medical form if under 60 years old
• proof of disability if applicable
• If claiming zero household income your specific situation will require other documents, and tax transcripts for all adult household members may be needed.
• Individual circumstances sometimes require additional documentation.

Portage County residents can schedule an appointment by calling our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303  or online at https://cap.appointments.com
 
Call-ins are available via phone interview on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting at 8:00am until all available appointments are scheduled. To schedule a same day call-in appointment call 330-297-1456 ext 0.  Do not leave a message, by the time messages are returned, all appointments are booked. 
If you have additional questions not related to making an appointment, you can call CAC at 330-297-1456, and press option 1 for HEAP.
 

 
Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1
 
The Ohio Development Services Agency and CAC of Portage County will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the cold summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1 until September 30.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with CAC.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling 234-703-4303, or via the web at https://cap.appointments.com .
Clients need to provide the following documents to complete an application:

• Their most recent energy bills;
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;
• Proof of disability (if applicable);
• Proof of age or Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health may be needed;
• Picture ID for household member applying for services.

 
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.
 
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program, contact CAC at 330-297-1456 option 1. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider call (800)282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance), or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

The Community Action Council of Portage County, Inc. will have funding available for Portage County households that meet program requirements. This year’s benefits include electric bill payments, window a/c units, fans, and a/c repair for central air. Each household’s benefit is $500.00 for electric bill assistance PLUS central air repair, an A/C unit, and/or tower fans. Certain conditions apply for these additional benefits.
It is strongly recommended that you make an appointment. Appointments
Call 234-703-4303 toll free, or online at https://cap.appointments.com.  Scheduled appointments will be conducted via telephone interview. An Intake Specialist will call client at the date and time of their appointment, to start an application, and discuss the documents that are required, and how to get the documents turned in.
Open Call insIf you are unable to get an appointment, you may call in Monday through Thursday mornings starting at 8:00am until all call in appointments are full.An Intake Specialist will call clients at the date and time of their appointment, to start an application, and discuss the documents that are required, and how to get the documents turned in. For more information on the program, to obtain a medical eligibility form, or to obtain information on other agency programs and services, please access
the agency’s website at www.cacportage.net/heap.html

EligibilityTo be eligible, the household has to be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, AND meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a household member 60 years old or older
  
• Have a medical form filled out by a doctor stating that assistance is beneficial due to a chronic illness, such as a breathing problem, heart issue and others based on your doctor’s determination.
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and be willing to write, and sign a statement of such.
  
• Have a disconnect on their electric bill
• Have an electric bill that has PIPP default.

Other

• For Summer Crisis program, proof of age or medical form may be needed.
• Electric bill must be in an adult household members’ name.
• For Air conditioner and fan benefit, household cannot have received an air conditioner or fan from HEAP within the past 3 program years (2018, 2019, 2020).

Air conditioners and fans will be distributed through Lowes in Kent/Brimfield Township. If approved your intake specialist, will provide you with a voucher.
 
The income guidelines for the Summer Crisis Cooling program are as follows:

Household Size           30 Day Income 175%         Annual Income 175%
           1                                   $1,852.60                              $22,540
           2                                   $2,505.62                              $30,485
           3                                   $3,158.63                              $38,430
           4                                   $3,811.64                              $46,375
           5                                   $4,464.66                             $54,320
           6                                   $5,117.67                               $62,265
           7                                   $5,770.68                              $70,210
           8                                   $6,423.70                              $78,155
Add'l Person                             $653.01                                $7,945 
 
 
 
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