The Community Action Council of Portage County will have funding available for Portage County households that meet program requirements. This year’s benefits include electric bill payments, window a/c units, fans, and central air repair.
 
Appointments are available now and can be made through our 24-hour automated appointment system by calling 234-703-4303 or by going online to https://app.capappointments.com.  All appointments will be conducted by telephone interview. An intake specialist will call the client at the date and time of their appointment to start an application and discuss the documents that are required and how to turn the documents in.
 
If you are unable to get an appointment, you may call in Monday through Thursday mornings starting at 8:00 am until all same day call in appointments are full. These appointments usually fill up by 8:30am.  For an appointment on the same day please call 330-297-1456 ext 0. More information on the program can be found at www.cacportage.net.
 
To be eligible, the household must be at or below 175% of the federal income poverty level AND meet one of the following criteria:
 

• Have a household member 60 years old or older (no disconnect required).
• Have a medical form filled out by a doctor stating that assistance is beneficial due to a chronic illness, such as a breathing problem, heart issues and others based upon your doctor’s determination.
• Have a disconnection on their electric bill.
• Need to establish new or transfer electric service

 
Other stipulations:

• Proof of age or a medical form may be needed to qualify for assistance.
• The electric bill must be in an adult household members’ name.
• The household cannot have received an air conditioner or fan from HEAP last year.

 
All air conditioners and fans will be distributed through the Lowes store in Kent/Brimfield Township.
 
The income guidelines for the Summer Crisis Program are as follows:
 
HOUSEHOLD SIZE          30 DAY INCOME        ANNUAL INCOME
                                                         175%                           175%
            1                                      $2,295.62                    $27,930.00
            2                                      $3,112.60                    $37,870.00
            3                                      $3,929.59                     $47,810.00
            4                                      $4,746.59                     $57,750.00
            5                                      $5,563.56                     $67,690.00
            6                                      $6,380.55                      $77,630.00
            7                                      $7,197.53                      $87,570.00
            8                                      $7,798.44                      $94,881.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

More than 55,000 Ohio households served in 2025
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Community Action Council of Portage County are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.
 
From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, receiving an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP).
 
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, households with a person 60 years or older or households who have someone living in the home who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.   
 
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $57,750.  
 
Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 55,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $12.4 million in benefits.
 
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Community Action Council of Portage County. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 234-703-4303 or online at https://app.capappointments.com.  There are also limited same day appointments that can be accessed by calling 330-297-1456 ext 0.  Same day appointments are available Monday through Thursday starting at 8 am and fill up quickly.   
Clients need to provide the following documents to complete their application: 

• Copies of their most recent energy bills. 
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member. 
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members. 
• Proof of disability (if applicable). 
• Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (only needed if the household is not eligible in any other way).

 
For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, contact CAC of Portage County at330-297-1456 ext 0 for the receptionist.
               
 
 For more information, contact:
CAC of Portage County
1036 West Main St.
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
330-297-1456
Option 1 for HEAP Department
[email protected]

​The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) will end on March 31, 2026.   Any household who has a disconnection notice or has less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel and is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, that has not applied for the Winter Crisis Program since November 1, 2025, may be eligible for an emergency utility bill payment or bulk fuel delivery. 
 
There are still limited appointments available for this season’s emergency program.  To make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com. Call-ins are still available Monday through Thursday at 8:00am by calling 330-297-1456 and pressing 0 for reception.  These same day appointments are limited and are first come first served.
 
March 31st will be entirely Call-In appointments for households in emergent need. 
There will be no scheduled appointments on this day. And those that call for a same day appointment will be screened to make sure they need our Winter Crisis Program.  Anyone that calls and is not in need of a utility bill payment will be scheduled for the first week of April.    Call-In appointments will be available all day as an attempt to assist as many households as possible.  We will begin accepting phone calls at 8:00am and continue until all appointment openings are filled. 
 
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:

• 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 adult 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)
• Other documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.                       

 
If you would like to make an appointment, call 234-703-4303.  If you need additional information call 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist.   
 
Applications for the Winter Crisis program must be via appointment and phone interview and be completed by March 31, 2026. 

The Community Action Council of Portage County, Inc. is sponsoring the Winter Crisis Program  from November 1 - March 31. 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 furnace repair. Each household’s benefit will vary based on need and eligibility.

To be eligible, the household must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, AND meet one of the following criteria

• Have a gas or electric bill that has a disconnect notice or has been disconnected.
• 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 electricity.
  

Households can make appointments by calling 234-703-4303 toll free, or online at https://app.capappointments.com.  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.

Scheduled appointments will be conducted via telephone interview. An Intake Specialist will call at the date and time of the scheduled appointment to start an application, discuss the documents that are required, and how to get the documents turned in.   Applicants will need to provide utility bills, proof of income, proof of citizenship, proof of disability if applicable, birthdate and social security numbers for all household members. 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.

CAC of Portage County also offers Call-in Appointments (same day appointments) Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00am until all available appointments are booked. To make a call-in appointment call 330-297-1456 ext 0 or 267. You must be in an emergency status and speak to the receptionist to schedule a same day appointment.
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 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:                                                                                                                                                                           CAC of Portage County

           PO BOX 917
           Ravenna, Ohio 44266

     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:   
           CAC of Portage County
          1036 West Main St.
           Ravenna, Ohio 44266