The Community Action Council of Portage County, Inc. is sponsoring the Winter Crisis Program (WCP) from November 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023.  CAC will have funding available for Portage County households that meet program requirements.  This year’s benefits include assistance with heating bills, electric bills, bulk fuel, and heater repair.  Each household’s benefit will vary based on need and eligibility.  
 
 
To 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 disconnect notice on your gas or electric bill.
• Have less than 25% of fuel in your bulk fuel tank.
• Have less than 10 days supply of wood or pellets. 
• Need to establish new service or transfer service for gas or electric.  
• Have a utility bill that has PIPP default, or enrolling on PIPP.
• Have a utility bill that is in an adult household members’ name.

 
 
The income guidelines for the Winter Crisis Program are as follows
 
HOUSEHOLD SIZE       30 DAY INCOME        ANNUAL INCOME
                                                     175%                                175%
             1                                  $1,954.73                      $23,782.50
             2                                  $2,633.63                     $32,042.50
             3                                  $3,312.53                      $40,302.50
             4                                  $3,991.44                      $48,562.50
             5                                  $4,670.34                      $56,822.50
             6                                  $5,349.25                      $65,082.50
             7                                  $6,028.15                      $73,342.50
             8                                  $6,707.05                      $81,602.50
Add’l Person +                          $678.90                       $8,260.00

 
Clients can begin making appointments on Monday, October 24th by calling 234-703-4303 toll free, or online at https://app.capappointments.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.
 
CAC also offers call-in appointments at our Ravenna office Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00 am until all the available appointments are full.  These same day phone appointments are usually book by 8:30am each day. Call 330-297-1456 and press 0.
 
Information on the program and a HEAP application can be downloaded by accessing the agency’s website at www.cacportage.net.​ For more information, please contact the Community Action Council of Portage County, PO Box 917, 1036 West Main Street, Ravenna, OH @ (330) 297-1456, press 1 for HEAP; FAX: (330) 297-1463. 
 
 
To apply for regular HEAP benefit, and/or apply or re-verify for PIPP:
 
1.     Go to www.energyhelp.ohio.gov, and start an online application.  Make sure to upload all of the required documents.    OR
 
2.     Go to www.energyhelp.ohio.gov and print an application; fill it out and mail it, along with all required documents to: 
          Portage County CAC 
          PO BOX 917 
          Ravenna, Ohio 44266        OR
 
3.    Go to www.energyhelp.ohio.gov and print an application; fill it out and drop it, along with all required documents in our dropbox at: 
         Portage County CAC 
         1036 West Main St.  
         Ravenna, Ohio 44266 
 
 
 
If you have additional questions, you can reach the receptionist at 330-297-1456 ext 0.
 

The Community Action Council of Portage County wants to inform residents that the LIHWAP Program can help prevent disconnection, and restore water services. 
The Low Income Water Assistance Program, a component of the Home Energy Assistance Program, provides assistance to eligible households that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have to pay a deposit before new service can be established.    To qualify, a household must meet one of the previously stated needs, and have a gross household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level.
Individuals interested in receiving assistance must have a phone appointment, and provide all required documentation.  Applicants will need to provide utility bill, proof of income, and proof of citizenship. 0ther documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.

Portage County residents can call toll free 234-703-4303 or go online https://app.capappointments.com 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 either by phone or online.
 
CAC also offers call-in appointments at our Ravenna office Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00 am until all the available appointments are full.  These same day phone appointments usually book by 8:30am each day.    
 
ALL APPOINTMENTS, AND CALL-INS WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA PHONE INTERVIEW.  You are required to be available via the phone number provided, and have the required documents available so you are able to answer the Intake Specialist questions at the date and time of your appointment.  The Intake Specialist will work with you to decide what is the best method for providing your documents.

The Intake Specialist will attempt to reach you 2 (two) times during your scheduled appointment time.  If they are unable to reach you, you must re-schedule. At the conclusion of the Phone Interview, the Intake Specialist will inform you of the documents that you will need to submit and any other information necessary to complete the application.    Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided.
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To learn more about the programs call CAC at 330-297-1456 and press 1 for HEAP.   Customers must be income eligible, and provide all necessary documentation to be approved for assistance. 
 

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. 
• To be eligible for an air conditioner or fan(s), you may not have received one for the past 3 program years (2019, 2020, 2021).

We are also accepting call-ins and appointments for our Low Income Water Assistance Program(LIHWAP).  This program may be able to assist with an emergent payment to water and/or sewer bills.  To be eligible, Portage County households must be at or below 175% of poverty, and have a water bill that is in danger of being disconnected, OFF, needs new service established or need to transfer service. 

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
• most recent water bill ( if applicable)
• 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 applicable)
• 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.

You do not need an appointment to apply for HEAP and PIPP, or to re-verify PIPP.  You can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to start an online application.  You can also print out an application fill it out and drop it in our dropbox with all required documents at 1036 West Main St, Ravenna. 
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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.