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Portage County Residents can still apply for Summer Crisis Program

9/3/2020

Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) is still accepting appointments and walk-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.

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 (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 schedule an appointment by calling our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303. If you would like to speak to someone, call 330-297-1456 and press 1 for HEAP.

Summer Cooling Program Available for Portage County Residents

8/26/2020

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 (2017, 2018, 2019).
CAC will continue to have call-ins Monday through Thursday mornings from 8-10am. Call-ins are limited to the first 12 households.
All HEAP services are offered via phone interview at this time.
You can apply online for HEAP and PIPP visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov
Call CAC at 330-297-1456 and press option1, to make an appointment, or 0 if you have questions. CAC is located at 1036 West Main Street in Ravenna.

Summer Cooling Program offered at Community Action Council

7/16/2020

The Community Action Council of Portage County is administering the Summer Crisis Cooling Program from July 1st through September 30th.

This program can provide some 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.
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 (2017, 2018, 2019).

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

Call-ins will be at via phone interview on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00am to 10:00am.

If you have questions, you can call CAC at 330-297-1456, and press option 1 for HEAP.

HEAP Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1

6/26/2020

HEAP Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1

Beginning July 1, the Ohio Development Services Agency and Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) will help income-eligible Ohioans maintain their utility service through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program. The program helps eligible Ohioans pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. This year, the program will run from July 1 until September 30, 2020.

“This year, we’ve extended the length of the program and expanded eligibility requirements so we can help more Ohioans during this health crisis,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency said. “We’re working with Community Action Council of Portage County every day to help Ohioans in need.”

In 2019 more than 200 families in Portage County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health. Examples of conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, etc. This year, households that were diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new service on their electric bill are also eligible for assistance.

Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to start their application prior to their required appointment. This year appointments can be held over the phone or in person at CAC of Portage County. To schedule an appointment call, 234-703-4303 or online at https://app.capappointments.com.

Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $45,850.00.

Also new this year, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program locally and what is needed to apply, call us at 330-297-1456 press 1 then 1. Additional information can also be found at www.cacportage.net , www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0880.

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Portage County Residents can still apply for Summer Crisis Program

Summer Cooling Program Available for Portage County Residents

Summer Cooling Program offered at Community Action Council

HEAP Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1

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