The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) will end on March 29, 2024.   Any individual or family who has a disconnection notice or has less than a 10-day supply of a bulk fuel and is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, that has not applied for Emergency HEAP since November 1, 2023, may be eligible for an emergency utility bill payment or bulk fuel delivery. 
 
There are still limited appointments available for this season’s emergency program.  To make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com. Call-ins are still available Monday through Thursday at 8:00am by calling 330-297-1456 and pressing 0 for reception.  These same day appointments are limited and are first come first served.
 
March 25-29 will be entirely Call-In appointments for households in emergent need. 
 
There will be no scheduled appointments for this week. And those that call for a same day appointment will be screened to make sure they need our Winter Crisis Program.  Anyone that calls and is not in need of a utility bill payment will be scheduled for the first week of April.    Call-In appointments will be available all day for this week as an attempt to assist as many households as possible.  We will begin accepting phone calls at 8:00am and continue until all appointments are filled for that day.  Once appointments are filled each day, clients will be asked to call back the next day. 
 
CAC of Portage County conducts all appointments via telephone interview.
 
 Individuals will need to provide copies of the following documents to include with their application:

• Most recent utility bills.
• A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers)
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all adult household members (12 months for certain income types)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability (if applicable)
• 0ther documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.                       

 
If you would like to make an appointment, call.  If you need additional information call 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist.   
 
Applications for the Winter Crisis program must be via appointment and phone interview and be completed by March 29, 2024. 

​The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the last day of the Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) and the Low-Income Water Assistance Program will be March 31, 2024.   Any individual or family who has a disconnection notice or has less than a 10-day supply of a bulk fuel and is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, that has not applied for Emergency HEAP since November 1, 2023, may be eligible for an emergency utility bill payment or bulk fuel delivery.  Portage County households that have a balance owed on their water bill, need service restored, or need to establish water service that have not applied for water assistance since October 1, 2023, may be eligible for a payment on their water bill. 
 
There are still appointments available for this season’s emergency programs.  Call-ins are still available Monday through Thursday at 8:00am by calling 330-297-1456 and pressing 1 for HEAP or 0 for reception.  These same day appointments are limited and are first come first served.  CAC of Portage County conducts all appointments via telephone interview.  Individuals will need to provide copies of the following documents to include with their application:

• Most recent utility bills.
• A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers)
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all adult household members (12 months for certain income types)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability (if applicable)
• 0ther documentation may be required based on each household’s individual circumstances.                       

 
If you would like to make an appointment, call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com.  If you need additional information call 330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist.   
 
 Applicants can continue to enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) year-round, and the Regular HEAP Program through May 31, 2024. 
 
We encourage customers to pay close attention to utility bill messages.  It will let you know when you must re-verify for the PIPP+ program.  You must re-verify before the date stated on your bills to prevent being dropped from the PIPP+ program.  Once you are dropped, it is sometimes very difficult to get re-enrolled.  It is also imperative that PIPP+ customers are paying the PIPP amount in full and on time each month in order to avoid PIPP default.   
 
To enroll or re-verify for the PIPP+ or Regular HEAP programs you can make an appointment at 234-703-4303 or go online at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. You can submit an online application or print and mail an application to PO BOX 917, Ravenna Ohio 44266.
 
Applications for the Winter Crisis program and the Water Assistance Program must be via appointment and phone interview and be completed by March 31, 2024. The last day to apply for the regular HEAP benefit is May 31, 2024. For more information on the programs, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call Community Action Council of Portage County at 330-297-1456.
 

The Community Action Council of Portage County wants to remind Portage County residents that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps households that are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills.  Portage County residents that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, have less than 25% of bulk fuel in their tank, need to establish service, enrolled on PIPP, or have PIPP default may be eligible for the Winter Crisis Program. WCP started on November 1 and goes through March 31, 2024. 

CAC of Portage County also has water bill assistance.  The Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps households that are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their water bills.  Portage County residents that have an amount owed, or need to establish water service may be eligible for this program.   
To make an appointment call 234-703-4303 or go online to https://app.capappointments.com . 

We also have some same day appointments available Monday through Thursday mornings starting at 8Am.  For those call-in appointments, customers should call 330-297-1456 ext. 0 starting at 8 am.  The call-in appointments fill up very quickly and are usually full by 8:30.
 
You MUST make an appointment in order for a Winter Crisis or Water assistance application to be processed.  . 
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.

Documents most commonly needed are:
•Most recent utility bills
•A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers)
•Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income                                 types)
•Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
•Proof of disability (if applicable)

For more information on HEAP, LIHWAP, or other programs offered by Community Action Council of Portage County, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or contact us at :
​
Community Action Council of Portage County
1036 West Main St * PO BOX 917 * Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Phone:   330-297-1456 HEAP is Option 1
Appointment line:   234-703-4303
Fax:   330-297-1463

The Winter Crisis Program (WCP) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have PIPP default, need to pay first PIPP, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank, maintain their utility service. 

The Low-Income Water Assistance Program, a component of the Home Energy Assistance Program, provides assistance to eligible households that have a balance owed on their account, and have not yet used the program.  To qualify, a household must have a gross household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level.

Households interested in receiving emergency utility 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. Applications will only be considered complete when all required documentation has been provided.
​
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 of Portage County also offers call-in appointments at our Ravenna office Monday through Thursday starting at 8:00 am until all of the available appointments are full.    The phone number for call-ins is 330-297-1456 ext 0.