As temperatures drop, Ohioans are starting to crank up their home heating systems. Starting today, low-income Ohioans can benefit from additional relief for these utility services. Residential utility consumers can avoid a utility disconnection or restore their heating services by making a one-time payment of $175.
In September, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued a Winter Reconnection Order providing low-income consumers with this assistance. This option is available for consumers until April 15, 2013.
For households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, funds provided through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Winter Crisis Program (WCP) or other energy assistance programs may be used to pay the $175 charge.
Households with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines must enter into a payment plan for any remaining balance on their utility bills above $175.
If a consumer’s heating service has already been disconnected, an additional $36 reconnection fee is required.
Consumers are encouraged to apply for assistance or contact their utility company to establish a payment plan before they face loss of service and additional reconnection fees.
“The Winter Reconnection Order has helped hundreds of thousands of Ohioans maintain utility service for heat during the winter months,” said Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Bruce J. Weston.
Other features of the PUCO’s order are as follows:
- Consumers can only take advantage of the Winter Reconnection Order once during the winter heating season.
- If customers owe past due payments on their natural gas and electric bills, the $175 can be divided between both utilities.
- Customers can use the Winter Reconnection Order to initiate electric or natural gas service rather than pay the required security deposit. If the security deposit exceeds $175, the remaining balance will be added to their next month’s bill.
- Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) customers can take advantage of the Winter Reconnection Order. PIPP Plus customers who have been dropped from the program are required to make any missed PIPP Plus payments or pay $175, whichever is less, to re-enroll in the program.
OCC also offers the following information for customers struggling to keep pace with their heating bills on its website, www.pickocc.org:
- Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus): http://www.pickocc.org/publications/assistance_programs/PIPP_Plus.pdf
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): http://www.pickocc.org/publications/assistance_programs/HEAP_Guidelines.pdf
- Alternative Payment Plans: http://www.pickocc.org/publications/assistance_programs/Energy_Disconnection_and_Reconnection.pdf
- Medical certifications: http://www.pickocc.org/publications/consumer_protection/Medical_Certifications.pdf
- Budget Billing: http://www.pickocc.org/publications/natural_gas/The_Facts_about_Natural_Gas_Budget_Billing.pdf
The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues.
For more information, visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.
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