The Community Action Council of Portage County wishes to announce the availability of its draft Two Year Budget and Work Plan for Calendar Years 2024 and 2025 under the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) for public review and comment.   CSBG funding is used by the CAC to provide core funding for a wide variety of agency-operated programs designed to impact on poverty in Portage County and will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development in November 2023.  We estimate that we will provide services roughly 25,000 families for 2024 and 2025. CSBG funds facilitate the provision of services in a wide variety of areas, including utility assistance and weatherization, other energy conservation and efficiency services, emergency home repair, rent and homeowner assistance, youth and after school services, technology training and testing, summer food services for children, and others. Any individual wishing to review the application may contact the agency’s administrative offices @ (330) 297-1456, by visiting the offices located at 1036 West Main Street in Ravenna, Ohio, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, or by contacting the agency via e-mail at [email protected]  or [email protected]. The CSBG application will provide estimated funding to the agency approximating $325,138 per year for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025 but is subject to congressional actions which may dramatically change current and future funding. 
 

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 (2019, 2020, 2021).

We are also accepting call-ins and appointments for our Low Income Water Assistance Program(LIHWAP).  This program may be able to assist with a payment to water and/or sewer bills.  To be eligible, Portage County households must be at or below 175% of poverty, and have a water bill that has an amount owed.   

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 the following documents:

• 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
• most recent water bill ( if applicable)
• social security numbers for all household members
• proof of citizenship for all household members (can be birth certificate or social security card)
• proof of age (if 60 or older and applying for SCP)
• medical form (if applicable and applying for SCP)
• 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.

All HEAP services are offered via phone interview at this time.
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. 
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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.  At this time scheduled appointments are booked through September 30th, however if there are cancellations, appointments may become available.  To check appointment availability call our toll free appointment line 234-703-4303.