The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is reminding Ohioans as winter approaches of their Percentage of Income Payment Plan, which helps those without the financial means to pay exorbitant heating costs.

PIPP actually has several programs: the Standard PIPP Program, the PIPP Balanced Payment Plan, Three Percent PIPP and the Arrearage Crediting Program.

PIPP customers are not eligible to choose their own supplier; however all PIPP customers in their respective service territories are bid out as a class to competitive gas suppliers in order to achieve maximum savings.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) allows eligible customers to make lower energy payments. If you qualify, you can pay 10 percent of your gross monthly household income to the utility company providing your main heating source and five percent to the utility company providing your secondary heating source. You can choose to join PIPP for only one utility service. If the company provides both gas and electric services or if the customer has an all-electric home, the payment is 15 percent of the gross monthly income.

There are only three standards that must be met for those seeking the help:

• Your utility company must be regulated by the PUCO.
• You must apply for all energy assistance for which you are eligible.
• You must have a gross yearly household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. If you are not eligible based on the 12-month “test,” you may qualify for PIPP based on your income for the most recent three months.

If your household is at or below 50 percent of the federal poverty level and the household uses electricity as its secondary source of heat, your household would pay 3 percent instead of 5 percent in the winter heating season only.

Contact your gas or electric company for specific details. The company may refer you to the local community action agency to enroll in PIPP. Proof of your gross monthly household income for the last three months will be required. The first PIPP payment is usually due at the time you enroll.