The Community Action Council of Portage County wants to inform residents that the LIHWAP Program can help prevent disconnection and restore water services. 

The Low Income Water Assistance Program, a component of the Home Energy Assistance Program, provides assistance to eligible households that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have to pay a deposit before new service can be established.    To qualify, a household must meet one of the previously stated needs, and have a gross household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level.
Individuals interested in receiving assistance must have a phone appointment, and provide all required documentation.  Applicants will need to provide utility bill, proof of income, and proof of citizenship. 0ther 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 also offers call-in appointments at our Ravenna office Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00 am until all the available appointments are full.  These same day phone appointments are usually booked by 8:30am each day and are reserved for households that are in imminent danger of shut off, or need services restored.    
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To learn more about the programs call CAC at 330-297-1456 and press 1 for HEAP.   Customers must be income eligible, and provide all necessary documentation to be approved for assistance. 
 

​The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the last day of the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) will be March 31, 2023.   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, 2022 may be eligible.  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 $900.00, and coal or wood users may receive up to $550.00. 
 
There are still appointments available for this season’s emergency program.  Call-ins are still available Monday through Thursday 8:00am-10:00am by calling 330-297-1456 and pressing 1 for HEAP or 0 for reception.  These same day appointments are limited and are first come first served.  The last call-in must be signed in by 10:00am.  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)

 
If you would like to make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com.  If you need additional information call 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist.   
 
 Applicants can continue to enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) year round, and the Regular HEAP Program through May 31, 2023. 
 
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.  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.    
 
To enroll or re-verify for the PIPP+ or Regular HEAP programs you can make an appointment at 234-703-4303 or go online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. You can submit an online application or print and mail an application to the address provided.
 
Applications for the Winter Crisis program must be via appointment and phone interview, and be completed by March 31, 2023. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2023. For more information on the programs, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call Community Action Council of Portage County at 330-297-1456.