HEATING BILLS Programs for the needy

There are a variety of programs to help with winter heating bills or past due balances. Among them:
EnergyShare: Sponsored by Dominion East Ohio, the program is designed to help needy individuals and families pay winter heating bills. Contact your the Salvation Army office to apply. Paying Dominion customers can contribute to EnergyShare easily by adding an extra $1, $2, $6, $12, $18 or $36 to their Dominion payments, or by including a separate check with their payments for any amount. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5847, Cleveland, OH 44101-0847.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan: PIPP helps eligible low-income customers maintain gas service by paying 10 percent of their total monthly household income all year.
Home Energy Assistance Program: Available to qualified low-income customers, HEAP is a government program that pays part of the gas bill, but is not a guarantee against shutoff. The filing deadline is March 31. Applications are available at post offices and libraries, or by calling the Ohio HEAP office at (800) 282-0880. Emergency HEAP provides a one-time emergency payment each heating season to qualified low-income customers. The payment must be needed to either avoid shutoff or restore gas service.
Reconnection Plan: Residential customers, whose natural gas service has been disconnected for nonpayment, or are in danger of losing service, may restore service or avoid disconnection under a special, one-time, winter heating reconnection procedures in effect through April 15. In accordance with this Public Utilities Commission of Ohio order, Dominion customers can maintain natural gas service, or have it restored, by choosing one of the following plans, whichever costs them less: Pay the entire past-due balance shown on the bill, not to exceed $175; pay past-due default payments if a customer is on a special payment plan, up to $175; or pay $175.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM: This program delays a shutoff when it would be especially dangerous and life-threatening to the health of a household member. The program allows time to get financial help, but doesn't reduce the bill.
HOUSEWARMING PROGRAM: Funded by Dominion, the Housewarming Program provides up to $1,600 in weatherization assistance to eligible customers. Call toll free (888) 377-3774.
Weatherization Assistance: Eligible customers may also receive weatherization assistance from the Ohio Department of Development. This federally-funded program provides grants for weatherization repairs. Call the Ohio HEAP office at (800) 282-0880.
Source: Dominion East Ohio