COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL OFFERS HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE

​The Community Action Council of Portage County’s Winter Crisis Program thru the Home Energy Assistance Program will begin on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, said David Shea, Executive Director of the Community Action Council of Portage County.  “We do not expect any significant changes in the Winter HEAP Program, but we do expect that the need and demand for help with utilities will be higher than ever.  We have already begun scheduling appointments and have expanded staffing and walk-in days during November and December so we can accommodate everyone.  We do not expect any problems beginning the program on time and will do everything that we can to accommodate families in need” said Shea.
Any family or individual can call the agency at 330-297-1456 and choose option 1 to schedule an appointment as of October 24th.  Appointments are scheduled up to 3 weeks in advance and must be made through the Agency’s 24 hour Interactive Voice Response scheduling system.  CAC also offers walk-ins at our Ravenna office on every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, and we will see the first 24 households.  Eligibility for the program is based on 175% of the poverty level, or roughly $42,525/year for a family of 4.  Customers must also participate in some type of payment plan if requesting assistance on Dominion East Ohio Gas or Ohio Edison, such as PIPP PLUS, or another utility sponsored plan.  CAC can assist families in applying for PIPP Plus during the appointment or you may submit your PIPP Plus application directly to Columbus.
It is important that customers bring all of the necessary documentation with them for both walk-ins and appointments.  This includes the most recent 90 days of income for all household members 18 and older, most recent utility bills, proof of citizenship for all household members, social security cards and proof of disability if disabled.  All households have their own unique circumstances, and you may be asked for additional documentation at the time of their face to face interview. 
CAC is also operating additional satellite offices throughout Portage County.  HEAP Satellite centers are at The Kent Free Library (1115 Franklin Avenue in Kent); The Renaissance Family Center (9005 Wilverne Drive in Windham); The Garrettsville Library (10482 South St. in Garrettsville); The Portage County Senior Center (705 Oakwood St. in Ravenna); and the Atwater Town Hall (1219 State Route 183 in Atwater).  The doors will open at 9:00, and we will see the first 7 customers at all locations.  Please call 330-297-1456 and choose option 1 for more information about satellite days and times. 
A variety of benefits are available through HEAP depending on each family’s needs, and CAC has other programs that can help reduce heating costs for Portage County families as well.  CAC is located at 1036 West Main in Ravenna, Ohio and is open Monday thru Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.   For additional information, please contact CAC at the phone numbers above or by e-mail at info@cacportage.net.