Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Ohio's Winter Reconnect Program helps consumers stay connected

COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 7, 2005 - For the 21st year, any consumer who has been disconnected will be able to have their electric or natural gas service reconnected for $175 and a small reconnection fee. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio today issued its winter reconnect order to assist consumers in staying warm during the winter months. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, offers information about the winter reconnect program and other assistance available to help consumers keep their heat turned on during the winter heating season.

"All consumers should be able to stay warm during the colder months, but with the high cost of natural gas, that is unfortunately becoming increasingly difficult," said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers' Counsel. "Ohioans facing disconnection for non-payment can call the OCC. We will work to find the best program or payment plan to help them stay connected to their electric, natural gas, telephone or water service. We also can provide information on tips to save energy, which can help lower monthly bills."

Ohio Winter Reconnect Program

Ohio's winter reconnect program allows most households that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored during the winter months by paying a fee. Consumers can use the winter reconnect program beginning October 17, 2005 until April 14, 2006. Consumers can pay either the total amount they owe to the utility company or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $20.

For income eligible households, money given through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) may be used to pay these fees. There is no income eligibility requirement for the winter reconnect program. The Order also continued the provision that consumers cannot have their service disconnected if they have an appointment scheduled to apply for E-HEAP. Disconnection could occur only if the consumer misses the scheduled appointment.

Electric and natural gas companies in Ohio are required to reconnect service on the same day if a customer makes full payment of $175 before 12:30 pm. Those consumers who pay after 12:30 p.m. will have service reconnected the following business day. Consumers can apply for the winter reconnect program in person at a local community action agency or by calling their electric or natural gas company directly.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP is a federally funded program designed to help income eligible consumers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay for their heating costs. Consumers can use this program one time per heating season.

HEAP, administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), provides financial assistance to income eligible consumers who heat their homes with electric, natural gas or bulk fuel. Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP) is available to income eligible consumers who have been disconnected from their heating source, have received a disconnection notice or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. The application deadline for HEAP and E-HEAP is March 31, 2006. Consumers can receive applications from ODOD by calling toll free 1-800-282-0880 or by calling the OCC toll free at 1-877-742-5622.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

PIPP is an extended payment arrangement plan for income eligible customers of Ohio's regulated electric and natural gas utilities. Eligible consumers must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Most utility companies are required to accept payment based on a percentage of the household's income.

Consumers are eventually responsible for paying the total balance of what they owe when they leave the PIPP program. Consumers can contact their utility company or a local community action agency to apply for PIPP at any time during the year.

Budget Billing

Budget billing programs allow consumers who are current on their payments to spread the amount they owe over a 12-month period. Consumers should contact their utility company to inquire about how to participate.

Payment Plans

When facing disconnection, consumers can propose a payment plan that works best for them. If the company finds the proposed payment plan not acceptable, it must provide an option of participating in either the 1/3 (where customers pay 1/3 of the total amount due each month, which includes their past due balance and current bill) or 1/6 (where customers pay 1/6 of the balance amount in addition to paying the full amount of the current bill) payment plan.

For more information on the winter reconnect program, HEAP, PIPP or additional payment plans, contact the OCC at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622), or online at www.pickocc.org.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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 and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.