Heating Assistance Available to Help Ohioans Avoid Winter Chill
 
Community Action Council of Portage County wants to ensure Portage County residents stay warm and comfortable this winter by helping alleviate the burden of costly energy bills.   From Nov. 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, income-eligible households can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Winter Crisis Program.

The Winter Crisis Program assists households facing service disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) default and be in disconnect status, need to make their first PIPP payment, or have 25 percent or less supply of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain service. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income of at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is up to $54,600.

To make an appointment for the Winter Crisis Program, residents can call our 24-hour appointment line at 234-703-4303.  We also have minimal same day appointments for residents that have had their services turned off, are in danger of being turned off, or have less than 25% bulk fuel.  To make a same day appointment, please call at 8am Monday through Thursday (except Holidays).  We will make same day call-in appointments until they are all booked. 
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Clients need to provide copies of the following documents:

• Utility account numbers
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each adult household member.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
• Proof of disability, if applicable.

 
Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis program must be received by March 31, 2025. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2025. For more information on the programs, visit www.cacportage.net  or call us at 330-297-1456 HEAP is option 1.

 

Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) is still accepting appointments and 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 (2021, 2022, 2023).

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.   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.  ​

To determine eligibility, you will be required to provide proof of income, citizenship, utility bills, detailed information about all household members, and proof of age and/or disability if applicable.   

• If claiming zero household income your specific situation will require additional 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.
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 drop box with all required documents at 1036 West Main St, Ravenna. 

At this time scheduled appointments are booked through September 26th, however if there are cancellations, appointments may become available.  To check appointment availability call our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303. 

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