Free Cervical Cancer Screenings for Women

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Need help filing your taxes? FREE help is available.

There are a number of reputable organizations in our area offering free tax preparation and filing assistance.

For county-wide programs, call the appropriate number below to learn more and see if you qualify.

Columbiana County residents (330) 332-1163
Mahoning County residents (330) 941-2507
Portage County residents (330) 297-4636
Stark County residents (330) 994-0850
Summit County residents (330) 861-6401
Wayne County residents (800) 961-0191

To receive tax preparation assistance in Summit County, residents must have an earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) of $49,078 or less during the 2011 tax year.

Remember to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you are eligible.

• Families with three or more qualifying children who earned less than $43,998 (or less than $49,078 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,751.

• Families with two qualifying children who earned less than $40,964 (or less than $46,044 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,112.

• Families with one qualifying child who earned less than $36,052 (or less than $41,132 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $3,094.

• Individuals between the ages of 25 and 64 who do not have a qualifying child with an earned income of less than $13,660 (or less than $18,740 for married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit up to $464.

• Investment income must be $3,150 or less for the year.

OTHER PROGRAMS:

IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs
1-800-906-9887

AARP Tax Aide 
888-227-7669

Ohio Benefit Bank
800-648-1176

Ohio HEAP and PIPP PLUS Utility Assistance Programs

Looking for some help with paying for your heating bills this winter?  Here are a few good programs to explore for the 2011 - 2012 winter heating season and beyond. 

The HEAP Program, which provides a one-time credit on heating bills to eligible individuals, is taking applications between August 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. In order for a household to be eligible for HEAP, the total household income has to be under 200% of the federal poverty level, based on the number of people living in the household.  Click here for a current table of income limits.   There are several options for completing your HEAP application.  You may download or print a HEAP application by clicking here.  Applications are also available at most libraries and other government buildings or by calling your local community action agency;  click here to find the closest office.  In addition, you can visit any Ohio Benefit Bank office to receive free help in completing your application.  Click here to find the closest Ohio Benefit Bank office, or call 800-648-1176.  Or, you can fill out your HEAP application online by clicking here.  To check the status of your HEAP application after you have submitted it, click here, or call the HEAP Hotline at 1-800-282-0880.

The Winter Crisis (E-HEAP) program "provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel." Applications for the Winter Crisis Program will be accepted November 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.  For information on the Winter Crisis Program in Ohio, including eligibility requirements, click here or call HEAP toll-free at (800) 282-0880 (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday).  To locate your local Emergency HEAP/Winter Crisis Program agency in Ohio, click here.  Residents of Summit County should contact Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. at 330-376-7730.

The PIPP Plus Program replaced the old Percentage of Income Payment Plan program (PIPP) as of last year.  PIPP Plus seeks to provide an affordable payment option for gas and electric service to low-income households. The new program offers some significant improvements over the old one. For instance, under the traditional PIPP program, if a consumer owed $100 on their gas or electric bill for the month, they might have to pay only $10 to retain service and avoid a shutoff, but the unpaid $90 balance would accrue as debt with the utility company. Under the new PIPP Plus program, if the consumer pays their PIPP Plus amount on time, the remainder of the bill is forgiven permanently. There are also opportunities for households with existing overdue balances to gradually have those balances forgiven if they make their PIPP Plus payments on time each month for a period of months.  For more information on PIPP Plus programs, click here, or call HEAP toll-free at (800) 282-0880 (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday).  Returning PIPP Plus applicants must re-verify their income annually.

The Winter Reconnect Order helps those who are threatened with a gas or electric shutoff by allowing them to maintain service by making a $175 payment, regardless of the balance they owe.  For more information, click here.

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP), helps with making your home as energy efficient as possible by providing things like insulation or furnace repair and replacement.  To learn more and see if you qualify for HWAP, click here. 

The Dominion East Ohio Energyshare Program serves senior citizens age 60 and over as well as younger customers who have received a termination or shutoff notice.  For more information, click here, or call  (800) 362-7557.

There are several Extended Payment Plans available to all residential electricity customers regardless of income.  Click here for more information, or call (800) 686-PUCO (7826).

Utility assistance for military personnel and their families through the Patriot Plan can be accessed by clicking here or calling  (800) 686-PUCO (7826).



Source: Ohio Department of Development and PUCO/Ohio.gov.

Medicare Checkup Days Summit County 2011

OSHIIP Medicare Checkup Days 2011 Summit Co

Free School Supplies Giveaways - Akron Area Fall 2011

Cornerstone Church Gigantic Back to School Giveaway
Saturday, August 13th
9:00 AM until 3:00 PM or until supplies run out
More than 20 social services agencies will be here with free information and help.
Haircuts, health checks, lunch, inflatable attractions, and a huge supply of used clothing - all free!
Children must be present to receive school supplies.
Cornerstone Church
578 Killian Road
Akron, Ohio 44319-2552
330-644-3937

Wedgewood United Methodist Church
Back to School Supply Give-Away and Akron Public School Uniform Swap  
Saturday, August 13th, 2011
10:00 to 11:30am Rainor Shine
Free event for the community -- get basic school supplies and swap Akron Public School uniform clothes or pay $.75 a piece.   Enter to win a backpack and $10 Staples gift card!
Wedgewood United Methodist Church
2350 Wedgewood Drive
Akron, OH 44312-2284
330-733-8707

Summit for Kids Family Expo
Saturday, August 20th, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
By bringing your child, you'll be giving him or her an entertaining and educational experience and helping to promote healthy development.  Plans for the day include fun activities, free back-to-school items and other giveaways, special guests and much more. Admission is free.
John S. Knight Center
77 East Mill Street
Akron, Ohio  44308 (Bus:  Mill and Broadway)
330-643-2949

3rd Annual "I Know I Can" Back to School Drive
Saturday August 27th, 2011
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Freebackpacks and school supplies while they last, and free haircuts
Deon's Grooming Lounge
255 E. Tallamadge Ave
Akron Ohio 
330-701-8327

Copley Outreach Center
School Supplies Giveaway
Tuesday August 16th, 2011
10:00am to 2:00pm
Free school supplies for qualifying students in Copley-Fairlawn District.
Copley Outreach Center
1502 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Copley, OH 44321-1908
330-665-3335

Emergency Assistance Center (Northern Summit County)Provides free school supplies for qualifying students in Aurora, Boston Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, Northfield, Northfield Center, Peninsula, Reminderville, Sagamore Hills, Stow and Twinsburg.
Call for appointment/application.
The Emergency Assistance Center
10333 Northfield Road, Unit 74D
Northfield, OH 44067
330-467-7945

St. Mary Church
Provides school supplies to qualifying families in the Hudson City School District.
340 North Main St.
Hudson Ohio 44236
330-653-8118