CAC CONTINUES TO OFFER HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE Residents can get funding for fuel

The Community Action Council of Portage County’s Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) began on November 1st, 2018 and will continue thru March 31st, 2019.  CAC is continuing to make appointments and have walk-in days at multiple locations around Portage County for households in need of assistance.  Since the program began in November,CAC has provided a variety of utility assistance to over 4.000 families.
To schedule an appointment to meet with an Intake Specialist please call CAC at our toll free number at 1-877-298-4307 or locally at 330-297-1456 and choose option 1 to schedule an appointment.  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 continues to offer walk-ins at its Ravenna office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, and will see the first 24 households.  Eligibility for the Winter Crisis Program is based on 175% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, or roughly $43,925/year for a family of 4 or $3,660.42/month.  Customers must also participate in a payment plan if requesting assistance with a Dominion East Ohio Gas or Ohio Edison utility bill, such as PIPP PLUS or another utility sponsored plan. CAC can assist families in applying for PIPP Plus during the appointment or an application can be submitted directly to Columbus.
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).  Please call 330-297-1456 and choose option 1 for more information about satellite days and times. 
It is important that customers bring all of the necessary documentation with them for both walk-ins and appointments.  This includes the most recent 30 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 may be asked for additional documentation at the time of the face to face interview. 
A variety of benefits are available through HEAP depending on each family’s needs, and CAC has other programs that may 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 330-297-1456 or by e-mail at info@cacportage.net.