Heating Assistance Available to Help Ohioans Avoid Winter Chill

Community Action Council of Portage County wants to ensure Portage County residents stay warm and comfortable this winter by helping alleviate the burden of costly energy bills.   From November 3,2025, through March 31,2026, income-eligible households can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Winter Crisis Program.

The Winter Crisis Program assists households facing service disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, or have 25 percent or less supply of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain service. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income of at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is up to $56,262.

To make an appointment for the Winter Crisis Program, residents can call our 24-hour appointment line at 234-703-4303g or make an appointment online at https://app.capappointments.com.  Winter Crisis Program appointments can be booked starting on October 27th at 9 am.  We also have minimal same day appointments. To make a same day appointment, please call at 8am Monday through Thursday (except Holidays).  We will make same day call-in appointments until they are all booked. 

Clients need to provide the following information and documents:

• Utility account numbers.
• A list of all household members and their social security number.
• Proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each adult household members.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
• Proof of disability, if applicable.

 
Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis program must be received by March 31, 2026. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2026. For more information on the programs, visit www.cacportage.net  or call us at 330-297-1456 HEAP is option 1.