News

Jul 13, 2023

AKRON, OH – Community Action Akron Summit can help income-eligible Summit County residents maintain their utility service through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program this summer. Residents who qualify can get assistance paying electric bills, purchasing an air conditioner or tower fan during the peak summer season.

WHAT:     
The program, of the Ohio Department of Development and Community Action Akron Summit, helps eligible residents pay an electric bill, purchase an air conditioning unit or tower fan. Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill, or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan (up to 2 fans). 

WHO:
Income-eligible Summit County residents with a gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for assistance. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $52,500.

WHEN:     
The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program runs from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2023. However, funding is limited.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Residents interested in applying for assistance can schedule an appointment with Community Action Akron Summit staff by phone. Applicants will not be interviewed face-to-face. 

To schedule an appointment, call 330-436-0261 or visit capappointments.com. Applicants who have a scheduled appointment must be available to complete the application process over the phone during their scheduled appointment time. An appointment no-show may result in utilities being shut off.

Applicants must have copies of the following documents for their appointments:

• Copies of most recent utility bills (gas and/or electric), regardless of account status
• Proof of disability, if applicable
• Birth dates and Social Security numbers for all household members
• List of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• 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)

Community Action Akron Summit strives to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency. Community Action Akron Summit is a private non-profit corporation operating various programs that assist Summit County residents to become self-sufficient. These programs include: Head Start/Early Head Start, The Foster Grandparent Program, Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Pathways HUB, Home Relief, Low-income Water Assistance) LIHWAP), and the Akron Summit Earned Income Tax Credit Program (EITC).