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

SCP can provide assistance with electric bills, and families may be eligible for a window air conditioning unit and/or fans. Central Air conditioning repair is also offered to households that qualify.

To qualify for SCP 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 being disconnected, 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 (2021, 2022, 2023).

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)
• 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
• 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 or online at https://app.capappointments.com

Call-ins are available via phone interview on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting at 8:00am until all available appointments are scheduled. To schedule a same day call-in appointment, call 330-297-1456 ext 0.  Do not leave a message, by the time messages are returned, all appointments are booked. 

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.

If you have additional questions not related to making an appointment, you can call CAC at 330-297-1456, and press option 1 for HEAP.
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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 Community Action Council of Portage County, Inc. 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 a/c repair for central air. Eligible households may qualify for electric bill assistance up to $500 plus central air repair, a window air conditioner unit and/or tower fans.  Certain conditions apply for these benefits.
 
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 call in appointments are full. These appointments usually fill up by 8:30am.  For a same day appointment 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.
• Have an electric bill that has a PIPP default or enrolling on PIPP for the first time.

 
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 within the past 3 program years (2021, 2022, 2023).

 
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 175%         Annual Income 175%
           1                                   $2,166.16                              $26,355
           2                                   $2,940.00                              $35,770
           3                                   $3,713.84                              $45,185
           4                                   $4,487.67                              $54,600
           5                                   $5,261.51                              $64,015
           6                                   $6,035.34                              $73,430
           7                                   $6,809.18                              $82,845

The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) will end on March 29, 2024.   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, 2023, 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 25-29 will be entirely Call-In appointments for households in emergent need. 
 
There will be no scheduled appointments for this week. 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 for this week as an attempt to assist as many households as possible.  We will begin accepting phone calls at 8:00am and continue until all appointments are filled for that day.  Once appointments are filled each day, clients will be asked to call back the next day. 
 
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)
• 0ther documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.                       

 
If you would like to make an appointment, call.  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 29, 2024.