Winter Reconnect Order to help customers maintain heat

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved the Winter Reconnect Order, which helps consumers reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service during the winter heating season, between Oct. 15, 2018 and April 15, 2019, according to a news release. Any customer of a PUCOregulated electric or natural gas utility may take advantage of the order.

Last winter heating season, more than 217,000 Ohio utility customers utilized the PUCO’s Winter Reconnect Order. Customers who use the Winter Reconnect Order are required to pay the utility no more than $175 plus any applicable reconnection charge not to exceed $36. If the company’s reconnection charge is greater than $36, the balance may be billed to the customer the following month. The Winter Reconnect Order also applies to customers seeking to establish new electric and natural gas service. Rather than paying the full security deposit that may be required for new service, customers can pay up to $175 and be billed any remaining balance of the security deposit the following month.

There is no income eligibility requirement to utilize the Winter Reconnect Order; however, customers who are at or below 175 percent of the federal income guidelines may apply for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program to pay the $175 amount.

Those who would like to use the program should call their electric or natural gas utility between Oct. 15, 2018, and April 15, 2019. Utility representatives will explain the order, and if applicable, set customers up on a payment plan for any default amount. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PUCO’S WINTER RECONNECT ORDER MAY CONTACT THE PUCO AT 1-800-686-PUCO (7826) OR VISIT WWW.PUCO.OHIO.GOV. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SAVE ON HOME HEATING BILLS THIS WINTER IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.WINTERHEAT. OHIO.GOV.