Emergency Heating Assistance Available

​Winter Crisis Program (WCP) runs through March 31, 2022
If you are struggling with your utility bills, or are in need of propane, fuel oil, or wood/pellets, CAC may be able to help.  The Winter Crisis Program is designed to help eligible Ohioans with their heating costs. 
Through the Winter Crisis Program, CAC can assist with a one-time payment up to $175.00 on income eligible Portage County residents’ Natural Gas and/or electricity bill, up to $550 for wood/pellets, and up to $900 for bulk fuel such as propane and fuel oil.  We can also enroll eligible households on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan+ (PIPP+), which is a payment plan designed to bring payments for regulated utility bills to a manageable payment, based on your household’s monthly income.  We currently have temporary funding to assist with water bills in addition to gas and electric. 
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.
Individuals interested in receiving Winter Crisis assistance must have a phone appointment, and provide all required documentation.  Applicants will need to provide utility bills, proof of income, proof of citizenship, and proof of disability if applicable. Other 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 through 10:00 am or until all the appointments are full.  If you call during this time, you will receive a same day-phone appointment time.  The phone number for call-ins is 330-297-1456 ext 0.  We will not be offering satellite sites for this year’s Winter Crisis Program due to the pandemic. 
 
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.  This adjustment to policy does not change the requirement for collection of all required documentation.  Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided.
 
For more information, contact the agency at 330-297-1456 (press 1 for HEAP).