CAC HEATING PROGRAM WILL END

Emergency HEAP Program will end on March 31
  
The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the Winter Crisis Program ( Emergency HEAP) will end as of March 31, 2017.   Any individual or family who has a disconnection notice or less than a 10-day supply of a bulk fuel, is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, and has not applied for Emergency HEAP since November 1, 2016 may be eligible and should contact the agency.  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 $750.00, and coal or wood users may receive up to $450.00. 
 
There are still appointments available for this season’s emergency program, and walk-ins are still available at the Kent Free Library on Mondays 10am to 12pm or the 1st 7 households through March 27th, the Portage County Senior Center on Wednesdays 9am to 11am or the 1st 7 households through Mach 29th, and the Windham Family Renaissance Center on Fridays 9am to 11am or the 1st 14 households through March 31st. Walk-ins at our main office (1036 West Main St) are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings starting at 8:00 am.  The first 24 households will be seen until 11:00am.  To make an appointment or for additional information, call 330-297-1456 and press option 1.
 
 Applicants can continue to enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+), as well as the 2017 Regular HEAP Program through June 30, 2017.  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, and charges are generally higher than your PIPP amount until you get back on PIPP+.  
 
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.  PIPP default is the balance of all unpaid PIPP payments, which must be paid before the utilities will allow you to re-verify or re-enroll on PIPP+.   Customers who go into PIPP default will be required to come up with the entire default amount as the HEAP and other programs often do not allow or do not have enough funds to cover the entire default amount.
 
To enroll or re-verify for the PIPP+ program you must have an appointment or come for a walk-in.  For additional information or to make an appointment call 330-297-1456 and select option 1.