Portage County residents behind on their taxes, utility bills and other home expenses can get thousands of dollars toward their payments from a new county program.
Funded by state and federal Covid relief money, the Property Tax Relief Program is targeted to two income groups and pays up to $5,000 and $10,000 for families that qualify.
“We’ve been working on finalizing the details of the Property Tax Relief Program for some time now,” Portage County Treasurer Brad Cromes said in a statement announcing the program. “These two pools of funds will help a lot of Portage County residents catch up and stay in their homes, while also keeping grant funding here and putting it to work for our local communities.”
The program is administered in a partnership with the Treasurer’s Office, Portage County Job and Family Services, and the Community Action Council of Portage County.
Cromes outlined the details as follows:
- The Job & Family Services funding pool is targeted at families with minor children and income less than 200% of the federal poverty level (about $27,000 for a family of four). Successful applicants are eligible for up to $5,000 to pay delinquent taxes. Applications are due no later than August 19, 2022, and residents should call 220-297-3750 for more information.
- The Community Action Council’s funding pool is open to families with income less than 150% of Ohio’s median income level (about $147,000 for a family of four), with a preference for applicants who are 55 years of age and better. Successful applicants are eligible for up to $10,000 in total aid that can be used for paying delinquent and current taxes, utilities, and other fees. Applications are currently open through December 2022, and accessible under the “Home Relief Programs” banner at www.cacportage.net. Residents should call 330-297-1456 for more information.
