Introducing PIPP Plus
Low-income energy bill assistance program to change

Ohio's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is now PIPP Plus. The new program makes monthly payments more affordable on a year?round basis for customers whose gross yearly household income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. PIPP Plus also offers new incentives to customers who make their payments on time each month. Customers who repeatedly miss payments can be removed from the program.

PIPP Plus customers will be required to pay $10 or six percent of their gross monthly household income, whichever is greater, for gas or electric service. Customers with all-electric homes will pay $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater. Electric customers, like natural gas customers, will have the same monthly PIPP Plus payment year-round.

Customers can enroll in PIPP Plus by going online to request an application or by making an appointment with a local energy assistance provider. Customers currently participating in PIPP will be transferred automatically to PIPP Plus.

Customers of PIPP Plus can expect:

• Incentives for timely, monthly payments: Each time a customer makes the required PIPP Plus monthly payment on time and in full, the rest of that month's billed amount will be credited to their account.
• Program removal for missed payments: Customers who do not keep up with their PIPP Plus payments may be removed from the program and the entire account balance will become due.
• Required verification of program eligibility: To remain on PIPP Plus, customers must re-verify their gross monthly household income annually and may be required to make up any missed payments.
• Transition from PIPP Plus to full bill payment: PIPP Plus customers who become ineligible for the program will be placed on a 12-month plan to help transition to full bill payments. Customers who make monthly payments on time and in full will continue to receive credits toward their monthly bill balance.

If you are a current PIPP customer with questions about the transition, or are considering enrolling in the program for the first time, more information is available at both PUCO.ohio.gov and energyhelp.ohio.gov. Ohioans also may contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at 1-800-686-7826 or the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880.

In addition to PIPP Plus, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on how many people live with you, total household income and the primary fuel you use to heat your home. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company.

HEAP applications were mailed to households that were found eligible for assistance last year. Applications also are available at local community action agencies, public libraries, area agencies on aging, county departments of job and family services or local utility offices. For more information or to have an application mailed to you, call HEAP toll-free at 1-800-282-0880 during regular business hours.

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