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 book by 8:30am each day.  Call 330-297-1456 ext 0 for same day appointments.   
 
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.

The Intake Specialist will attempt to reach you 2 (two) times during your scheduled appointment time.  If they are unable to reach you, you must re-schedule. At the conclusion of the Phone Interview, the Intake Specialist will inform you of the documents that you will need to submit and any other information necessary to complete the application.    Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided.
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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.  

Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1
 
The Ohio Department of Development and Community Action Council of Portage County will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1, 2022, until September 30, 2022.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with CAC of Portage County.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling 234-703-4303 or online at www.app.capappointments.com.
All applications begin with a phone interview.  Clients need to provide copies of the following documents in order to complete an application for assistance. 

• Copies of their most recent energy bills;
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;
• Proof of disability (if applicable);
• Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

 
Last year more than 900 families in Portage County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.
Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan, or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $48,562.50.
 
Also, Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP) who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
 
For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact CAC of Portage County at 330-297-1456 extension 226.