How Ohio Heartland Community Action Helps with Bills, Heat, and More.
If you live in Marion, Crawford, or Morrow County and are facing a shutoff notice, a heating bill you can't cover, or a home that's older so has high energy costs, Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission — OHCAC — is where to start. The agency runs the area's federally funded energy assistance programs, including HEAP, Winter Crisis, and Summer Crisis, along with free home weatherization and a range of social services centered out of Marion. For families with young children, OHCAC also operates Head Start and Early Head Start across a four-county area. This page walks through what each program covers, who qualifies, and how to apply — in plain terms.
One important note on service area: OHCAC serves Marion, Crawford, Morrow, and Richland counties — but Richland County is now served for Head Start programs only. Richland County residents needing utility assistance, weatherization, or other social services should contact a different agency. For utility programs, OHCAC currently serves Marion, Crawford, and Morrow counties through its three CAC locations.
Utility assistance — HEAP, Winter Crisis, Summer Crisis, PIPP Plus, and LiHWAP
OHCAC is the local administrator for Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Marion, Crawford, and Morrow counties. OHCAC's three service locations for energy assistance are the Marian Clark Center in Marion, the Henry and Betty Egner Memorial Center in Galion (Crawford County), and the Morrow County Neighborhood CAC in Mount Gilead. See the Ohio HEAP guide.
HEAP itself is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with winter heating costs. It runs from July 1 through March 31 each program year. The Winter Crisis Program — also called Emergency HEAP — runs from November 1 through March 31 and targets households that are already disconnected, are facing imminent shutoff, need to establish new heating service, or are bulk fuel customers with 25 percent or less remaining in their tank. If you're in one of those situations, this is the program to call about first.
The Summer Crisis Program runs July 1 through August 31 and provides assistance to income-eligible households struggling with cooling costs. The program year ends August 31, though OHCAC continues processing incomplete applications through September 15.
PIPP Plus — the Percentage of Income Payment Plan — is a year-round alternative that sets a monthly energy payment based on a percentage of the household's income rather than the full bill amount. To qualify, your gas or electric service must come from a utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and household income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. You must also apply for every other energy assistance program you might be eligible for before PIPP Plus becomes available — it's intended as a last-resort stabilizer, not a first step.
Marion County programs — Marian Clark Center
The Marian Clark Center at 1183 Bellefontaine Avenue in Marion serves as OHCAC's hub for social services beyond energy assistance in Marion County. Reach the center at (740) 383-2154 ext. 1300. Programs currently operating there include:
The Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention Program assists Marion County residents who are homeless or at serious risk of becoming homeless. This is the program most likely to provide direct financial assistance with rent in a housing crisis — call to find out what the current intake process involves and whether emergency funding is available. If other options needed, see the Ohio rent assistance programs page.
The Payee Program provides free representative payee services for individuals who receive Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or VA benefits and need help managing those funds. OHCAC handles the financial management on behalf of the client but does not take on legal guardianship.
The Emergency Senior Funding program, supported by a grant from the Marion County Council on Aging, helps residents 60 and older with unexpected emergency needs that aren't covered by other available services. It's specifically designed as a gap-filler for seniors.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free federal and state tax return preparation and e-filing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families during tax season. This is a legitimate IRS-certified program, not a third-party service.
The United Community Rx Program helps Marion County residents access affordable prescriptions for both immediate and ongoing medication needs.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), funded through the Department of Homeland Security, provides emergency food and shelter assistance when grant funds are available. Availability is not guaranteed year-round — call to ask about current status.
Head Start and Early Head Start
OHCAC operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Crawford, Marion, Morrow, and Richland counties — the only program that still serves Richland County through OHCAC directly. Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 in classrooms capped at 20 children, with full-day and half-day options. Every child receives USDA-approved meals covering at least one-third of daily nutritional needs. Children with IEPs or IFSPs, and children in kinship or foster care, are not subject to income eligibility requirements — they can enroll regardless of household income.
Early Head Start serves families from pregnancy through a child's third birthday, with a focus on building early parent-child relationships and supporting family well-being alongside child development. EHS runs year-round with a maximum of 8 children per classroom and 2 teachers. Center-based EHS programs operate in Bucyrus, Marion, Mt. Gilead, and Mansfield. All Head Start information and enrollment is handled through the separate website at https://www.ohcacheadstart.org/.
Office locations
The main OHCAC number is (740) 387-1039. The website is https://www.ohcac.org/. For utility assistance appointments specifically, call (740) 396-8237.
- OHCAC Administration office is at 372 East Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 — (740) 387-1039
- Marian Clark Center (Marion County social services): 1183 Bellefontaine Avenue, Marion, OH 43302 — (740) 383-2154 ext. 1300
- Weatherization and Energy Office: 125 Fairview Avenue, Marion, OH 43302 — (740) 387-9703
- Henry and Betty Egner Memorial Center (Crawford County): 124 Buehler Street, Galion, OH 44833
- Morrow County Neighborhood CAC: 28 West High Street, Mount Gilead, OH 43338
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