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You May Qualify for a Credit to your Winter Heating Bill

10/10/2019

As we get ready for another heating season, Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) wants to remind Portage County residents that we are accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Regular HEAP Program.

Regular HEAP is a federally funded program designed to help income eligible Ohioans with their winter heating bills by offering a one-time credit to the heating bill for eligible households.

Portage County residents can also apply for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) program year round. PIPP+ helps income eligible households manage their energy bills year round, by allowing them to pay bills based on a percentage of their income each month. Eligible households must have a total household income which is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and apply for all available energy assistance programs.
Current PIPP+ customers are also reminded that re-verification is required every 12 months or whenever the household income changes.

For more information, CAC at 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist. To make an appointment, you can call our toll free appointment line at 877-298-4307, or you can make an appointment online at https://capappointments.com.

You can apply online for HEAP and PIPP at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov .

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Offered Year Round

9/3/2019

Households can continue to enroll in and re-verify for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) program year-round. Regular HEAP applications for the 2019-2020 heating season are also currently being processed.

CAC strongly encourages families to enroll on PIPP+ and take advantage of several other programs that can help reduce utility costs, such as Home Weatherization Program (HWAP), Electric Partnership Program (EPP), and others.

To Apply for HEAP and/or PIPP, you must make an appointment or come to a walk-in. Appointments are available by calling 877-298-4307. Walk-ins are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings starting at 8, and the first 12 households are seen.
When you arrive for your appointment or walk-in, you will be screened to make sure all necessary documentation is with you. If you do not have all of the necessary documentation to complete the application process, you will be asked to return for another appointment/walk-in when you have everything you need.

Minimally, to be seen you will need gas/bulk fuel bill, electric bill; previous 30 days of income for all adult household members (filed tax return for self-employed and 12 months of income for seasonal employment), and proof of citizenship for ALL household members. For more details regarding necessary paperwork, you can call 330-297-1456 option 1, and speak to the receptionist.

You can also apply for HEAP and PIPP online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov
For more information, you can call CAC at 330-297-1456 or stop in for an application at 1036 West Main Street, in Ravenna.

Summer HEAP Program Ends August 31st

8/13/2019

Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) is still accepting appointments and walk-ins for the HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP). The program runs through August 31st, 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.

Residents who are participants in the PIPP+ program are not eligible for electric bill assistance, but may be eligible for an air conditioner or fan, unless they are in default under PIPP+. CAC strongly encourages families on PIPP+ to remain current with all payments and re-verify when there is a change in household income.

To be eligible, households must be at or below 175% of poverty, be over age 60, or be able to provide physicians statement that electric service is essential to the health of a household member. In order to be eligible for an air conditioner, you may not have received one through HEAP for the past 3 program years.

CAC will continue to have walk-ins on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8-11am. Walk-ins are limited to the first 12 households.

To determine eligibility, the following documents must be brought to your appointment/walk-in: most recent 30 days of household income(unless self-employed or seasonal, then 12 months of income is required), most recent gas bill, most recent electric bill, social security numbers for all household members, proof of citizenship (can be birth cert or soc sec card) for ALL household members, 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, sometimes individual circumstances require additional documentation.

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.

www.energyhelp.ohio.gov

SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM

7/11/2019

Summer electric assistance available for low-income households…
Help is available for eligible Ohioans trying to cope with the summer heat.  Under the Summer Crisis Program,  consumers of regulated utilities may qualify to receive a benefit amount up to $300 while customers of unregulated utilities can receive a benefit of up to $500. These benefits can be used to help pay an electric bill or central air conditioning repair. Households may also be eligible for a window air conditioning unit and/or fan(s).

To be eligible for assistance, households must have a gross annual income that is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. In addition to the income guidelines, applicants must also either:  Have a household member who is 60 years of age or older; or has a medical necessity verified by physician documentation.

Participants in the PIPP Plus year-round payment program will not be eligible for Summer Crisis Program monetary assistance. However, PIPP Plus clients may be eligible to receive a fan or air conditioner if they have not received one from the program in the past three years.

The program is available from July 1 until August 31. To make an appointment, call our toll free appointment line 1-877-298-4307 starting on June 24, 2019.

Walk-ins will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting at 8:00am. For more details about the program, and required documentation, contact us at 330-297-1456.

Documents needed for assistance:

Social Security Numbers for EVERYONE in household
Proof of Citizenship for ALL household members
All pages of most recent Ohio Edison bill
Most recent heating bill
If 60 years of age or older, proof of age required
If under 60 years of age, medical form required
Proof of household income for ALL household members age 18 and over for the past 30 days is required
Proof of disability if applicable

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You May Qualify for a Credit to your Winter Heating Bill

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Offered Year Round

Summer HEAP Program Ends August 31st

SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM

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