The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the last day of the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) will be March 31, 2023. Any individual or family who has a disconnection notice or has less than a 10-day supply of a bulk fuel and is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, that has not applied for Emergency HEAP since November 1, 2022 may be eligible. Applicants will need to provide utility bills, proof of income, and proof of citizenship. 0ther documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.
Customers of Dominion East Ohio Gas or Ohio Edison can receive up to $175 to restore or maintain utility service. Users of fuel oil and propane may receive a benefit of up to $900.00, and coal or wood users may receive up to $550.00. There are still appointments available for this season’s emergency program. Call-ins are still available Monday through Thursday 8:00am-10:00am by calling 330-297-1456 and pressing 1 for HEAP or 0 for reception. These same day appointments are limited and are first come first served. The last call-in must be signed in by 10:00am. CAC of Portage County conducts all appointments via telephone interview. Individuals will need to provide copies of the following documents to include with their application:
If you would like to make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com. If you need additional information call 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist. Applicants can continue to enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) year round, and the Regular HEAP Program through May 31, 2023. We encourage customers to pay close attention to utility bill messages. It will let you know when you must re-verify for the PIPP+ program. You must re-verify before the date stated on your bills to prevent being dropped from the PIPP+ program. Once you are dropped, it is sometimes very difficult to get re-enrolled. It is also imperative that PIPP+ customers are paying the PIPP amount in full and on time each month in order to avoid PIPP default. To enroll or re-verify for the PIPP+ or Regular HEAP programs you can make an appointment at 234-703-4303 or go online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. You can submit an online application or print and mail an application to the address provided. Applications for the Winter Crisis program must be via appointment and phone interview, and be completed by March 31, 2023. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2023. For more information on the programs, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call Community Action Council of Portage County at 330-297-1456. The Community Action Council of Portage County wants to remind Portage County residents that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps households that are at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. Portage County residents that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, or have less than 25% of bulk fuel in their tank may be eligible for the Winter Crisis Program. WCP started on November 1 and goes through March 31, 2023.
CAC of Portage County also has water bill assistance. The Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps households that are at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their water bills. Portage County residents that are threatened with disconnection, or have been disconnected from their utility service may be eligible for this program. To make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com . We also have some same day appointments available Monday through Thursday mornings starting at 8Am. For those call-in appointments, customers should call 330-297-1456 ext 0 starting at 8 am. The call-in appointments fill up very quickly and are usually full by 8:30. You MUST make an appointment in order for a Winter Crisis Application to be processed. . 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 specialists 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. Documents most commonly needed are: •Most recent utility bills •A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers) •Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types) •Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members •Proof of disability (if applicable) For more information on HEAP, LIHWAP, or other programs offered by Community Action Council of Portage County, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or contact us at : Community Action Council of Portage County 1036 West Main St * PO BOX 917 * Ravenna, Ohio 44266 Phone: 330-297-1456 HEAP is Option 1 Appointment line: 234-703-4303 Fax: 330-297-1463 The Winter Crisis Program (WCP) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have PIPP default, need to pay first PIPP, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank, maintain their utility service.
The Low Income Water Assistance Program, a component of the Home Energy Assistance Program, provides assistance to eligible households that are threatened with water 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. Households interested in receiving emergency utility assistance must have a phone appointment, and provide all required documentation. Applicants will need to provide utility bills, proof of income, proof of citizenship, and proof of disability if applicable. Other documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances. Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided. 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 of Portage County also offers call-in appointments at our Ravenna office Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00 am through 10:00 am or until all the appointments are full. The phone number for call-ins is 330-297-1456 ext 0. 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
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. |
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