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

The  Winter Crisis Program (WCP) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank, maintain their utility service.  We also offer furnace repair for eligible households.   

The program runs until March 31, 2026. Ohio households serviced by a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio-regulated utility must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) or another payment plan if there is still an outstanding balance on the bill after receiving assistance.

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, proof of disability if applicable, birth dates and social security numbers for all household members. Other documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.

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 8:00am  until all the available appointments are full.  If you call during this time and appointments are still available, you will receive a same-day appointment.  The phone number for call-ins is 330-297-1456 ext 0.

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.  Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided.

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 November 3,2025, through March 31,2026, 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, 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 $56,262.

To make an appointment for the Winter Crisis Program, residents can call our 24-hour appointment line at 234-703-4303g or make an appointment online at https://app.capappointments.com.  Winter Crisis Program appointments can be booked starting on October 27th at 9 am.  We also have minimal same day appointments. 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. 

Clients need to provide the following information and documents:

• Utility account numbers.
• A list of all household members and their social security number.
• Proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each adult household members.
• 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, 2026. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2026. 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.
• 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 (2022, 2023, 2024).

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.   
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. 

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.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303.