Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities

10/12/2026

PSA: We are back in Regular HEAP programming until May 31, 2027.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities want to remind older Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of up to seven members and 60% of State Median Income for a household of eight or more members to pay their heating bills.

Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Older Ohioans may go to their local Area Agency on Aging office for help with assembling the required documents and completing their HEAP application. They may also visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online or to download a copy of the application.

When applying, individuals need to have copies of the following documents:

• 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).

Applications for the HEAP program must be received by May 31, 2027.

For more information or assistance with applying for a HEAP benefit, contact Direction Home’s free Aging & Disability Resource Center at 877-770-5558.

To locate your local Energy Assistance Provider, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

10/08/2026

Older adults may not always express emotional distress in direct ways. Instead of saying they feel "depressed" or "suicidal," warning signs may appear through physical complaints, withdrawal from activities, or noticeable changes in behavior. Recognizing these subtle shifts is an important step in prevention.

When we increase awareness, we create more opportunities to check in, offer support, and connect older adults to helpful resources before a crisis develops. To help professionals, caregivers, families, and communities recognize these warning signs, the Older Adult Su***de Prevention Steering Committee developed the Older Adult Su***de Prevention Toolkit.

Explore the toolkit and learn how you can support the older adults in your life:https://www.ohiospf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Identifying-and-Reducing-Su***de-Risk-in-Older-Ohioans-Pages1.pdf

10/05/2026

Our first two in-person Medicare Made Simple seminars have SOLD OUT! But don't fret - there are still spots available for our November 18th session. Of course you can attend virtually for any of our Medicare Made Simple seminars.

But if you'd like to be with us in person, DON'T WAIT and register today! Head to the Medicare Education page of our website to secure your seat to get the best unbiased Medicare information.

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call 330.776.4620.

https://www.dhad.org/resources-education/medicare-education

10/05/2026

Our first Putting for a Purpose fundraiser event is this Thursday! Sponsor VRI is Fueling Our Mission at the event, helping us provide a delicious Mediterranean spread! You won't want to miss out on these treats. Sponsor or register by 5PM today to join us: https://www.dhad.org/events/2026-putting-purpose

Learn more about VRI: https://vricares.com/

10/01/2026

Thank you to all who are planning to get competitive at our new Foundation Fundraiser - Putting for a Purpose! There are still some spots remaining. Will we see you there? http://weblink.donorperfect.com/PuttForAPurpose2026

09/28/2026

Last call! Applications for the Joseph L. Ruby Student Scholarship are due by this Wednesday, 9/30/26.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to receive support in reaching your educational goals.

Learn more and find the link to apply here: https://www.dhad.org/resources-education/the-joseph-l-ruby-student-scholarship-opportunity

09/24/2026

Don’t forget to nominate that special person you know who is making a difference in their community for our Golden Age Hall of Fame! Nominations are due by 9/30/26.

To learn more about the requirements and to fill out the nomination form, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeI19TyvaOzCEqS93jRtTIhmC4HLt2FvXZlOVNDaANv75MicQ/viewform

09/24/2026

PSA: Summer Crisis Program ends this month!
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging are once again offering assistance to help Ohio's families stay cool during the hot summer months.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service's Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (HEAP).

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households and those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with a household member age 60 or older and/or a household member with a documented medical condition. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.

To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $57,750.

Last year, the Summer Crisis Program assisted more than 55,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $12.4 million in benefits.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with their local Community Action Agency.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
- Copies of their most recent energy bills.
- A 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.
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
- Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health.

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for assistance, or central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.


For more information about the Summer Crisis Program, and what is needed to apply, older Ohioans may contact Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities at 877-770-5558. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

https://www.dhad.org/resources-education/home-energy-assistance-program

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides assistance to Ohioans who need help managing their energy bills. A federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, HEAP provides a one-time payment for public utilities. Regular HEAP: resumes October 2026