The Ohio Development Services Agency and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) want to remind Ohioans that the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus can help manage energy costs during these cold winter days.
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) allows eligible Ohioans to pay their utility bills based on a percentage of the household income. This makes monthly payments more affordable year-round. To be eligible for the PIPP Plus program, a customer must receive his or her primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and must have a total household income which is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four the total annual income must be at or below $35,325.
Eligible Ohioans that heat with gas pay 6 percent of their monthly household income to their gas company and 6 percent to their electric company. Ohioans that heat with electricity pay 10 percent of their monthly household income to their electric company. After signing up for the program the local energy assistance provider or utility company will inform the customer of their PIPP Plus installment. When a Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus household pays the monthly payment on-time and in-full, some of their old debt and the rest of that month’s bill goes away in the form of a credit on their utility account.
To learn more about the program or to enroll call the toll-free hotline at (800) 282-0880, Monday through Friday (hearing impaired customers may dial (800) 686-1557 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov for more information. A program application can be downloaded at the Ohio Development Services Agency website. When applying, customers must provide proof of their gross monthly household income for at least the last three months.
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