COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL OFFERS HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE: Residents can get funding for fuel

The Community Action Council of Portage County and Ohio Development Services Agency will help Ohioans stay warm during the cold winter months. The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans heating assistance.  To qualify for the Winter Crisis Program, a household must be threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel. The household must also have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four the annual income must be at or below $43,925. The program runs from November 1, 2018 until March 31, 2019, and you can make appointments beginning on October 22, 2018.
Individuals interested in receiving Winter Crisis assistance must have a face-to-face interview. Customers must bring the following items to their appointment:

• 30 days of income for all adult household members(self-employed individuals are required to bring 12 months of income and tax return; seasonal workers need most recent 12 months of income)
• copies of their most recent energy bills
• list of all household members with Social Security numbers and birth dates
• proof of U.S. citizenship/legal residency for all household members
• proof of disability if disabled

 
It is important that you bring all of the necessary documentation with you when you arrive for an appointment, or come for a walk-in.  If all necessary documentation is not provided, you will not be seen by an Intake Specialist.  All households have their own unique circumstances, and you may be asked for additional documentation at the time of your face to face interview.
 
Any family or individual can call our new toll free number (877-298-4307) to schedule an appointment or 330-297-1456 #1.  Appointments are scheduled up to 3 weeks in advance and must be made through the Agency’s 24 hour Interactive Voice Response scheduling system. 
CAC also offers walk-ins at our Ravenna office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:00 am, and will see the first 24 households that have all necessary documentation.  We also have 5 walk-in satellite offices throughout Portage County.  HEAP Satellite centers are located at The Kent Free Library (1115 Franklin Avenue in Kent); The Renaissance Family Center (9005 Wilverne Drive in Windham); Garrettsville Library  ( 10482 South St. in Garrettsville); The Portage County Senior Center (705 Oakwood St. in Ravenna); and the Atwater Townhall (1219 State Route 183 in Atwater).  For more information about satellite days and times, contact the agency at 330-297-1456 (press 0 for receptionist)
 For more information, please call 330-297-1456 and use extension 236.