Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Programs available to help consumers stay connected

COLUMBUS, Ohio – September 6, 2006 – O hio’s residential utility consumers have several options available to help them stay connected to their utility services, said the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC). In addition to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) for those who are income eligible, Ohio’s winter reconnect program is an option regardless of a household’s income. For the 22nd 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. Lifeline programs also are available to low income consumers and offer discounts on basic local telephone service. The following information is provided by the residential utility consumer advocate to assist consumers in determining which program is right for them.

“We are pleased that this program will once again be offered to consumers. With high natural gas costs on the horizon, we hope that the utilities will be more flexible in arranging payment plans with consumers to avoid disconnection,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel.

Ohio Winter Reconnect Program

Ohio’s winter reconnect program allows 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. Consumers can use the winter reconnect program beginning October 16, 2006 until April 13, 2007. Through the program, 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.

As an added safeguard for low income customers, their service cannot be disconnected if they have an appointment scheduled to apply for E-HEAP. Disconnection could occur only if consumers miss their 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 175 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 both HEAP and E-HEAP is March 31, 2007. 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.

Telephone Lifeline

The majority of Ohio’s local telephone companies offer Lifeline programs. Most households that qualify for HEAP are automatically eligible for Lifeline. In addition to several other assistance programs that can qualify a household, those that are at or below 150 percent of the poverty level also are eligible. Under Lifeline, fees to establish service are waived. Consumers also receive a discount off the monthly basic local charges in addition to other benefits determined by each company.

For more information on the assistance programs, 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.