Programs
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program (WCP) provides income-eligible Akron and Summit County residents with cooling assistance during the summer months. The program, administered by Community Action Akron Summit locally, runs from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Community Action serves income-eligible households in Summit who are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guideline
To apply, residents must schedule an appointment with Community Action by calling 330-436-0261 or scheduling online at app.capappointments.com.
The program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), those that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, have a disconnection notice, have had utility service shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill or require air conditioning.
When applying, residents need to have copies of the following documents:
- Copies of most recent energy bills
- List of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member including, but not limited to:
- Wages – all paystubs for last 30 days
- Social Security – SSI, SSDI, SSA award letter
- Pension
- TANF/OWF
- Child Support – pay history for last 30 days
- Utility Assistance/Reimbursement
- Self-Employment – previous 12 months, IRS wage/record transcript, 1040 with schedules
- Seasonal Employment – previous 12 months
- Workers’ Compensation
- Unemployment Compensation
- A signed letter of support from gift giver of their assistance to the household is required
- No Income – IRS Tax return transcript, Non-Filing Transcript, Self-Declaration Worksheet
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- Social security cards and birth certificates for all household members
- Proof of disability, if applicable
- Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health (if there isn't a household member over the age of 60)
- Lease or landlord name, with address, telephone number and monthly rent amount
- If utility services are off, need to be transferred or a new account is being established, you must contact the utility company for new account numbers
- At the time of the appointment, all necessary documentation must be submitted. If any required documentation is missing during an appointment, the assistance will be delayed until the documentation is received. An appointment no-show may result in utilities being shut off.
PIPP is an extended payment arrangement that requires regulated gas and electric companies to accept payments based on a percentage of the monthly household income.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) | Development (ohio.gov)
For your convenience, you may complete the Energy Assistance Application on-line by following through the online portal below.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, income-eligible Summit County residents may call the HEAP appointment line at 330-436-0261 or schedule appointment online at app.capappointments.com
You may also drop off or mail the completed application and all required documentation at:
Community Action Akron Summit
670 W. Exchange Street
Akron, Ohio 44302