PUCO urges public to seek heating assistance

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Residential customers can avoid a utility shutoff or restore their heating service between now and April 15 by making a one-time $175 payment, said Bruce J. Weston, a representative of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

This arrangement is available under a winter reconnection order issued last month by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

For households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, money from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Winter Crisis Program or other energy- assistance programs may be used to pay the $175.

Households with income above the 200 percent level must enter into a payment plan for any remaining balance on their utility bills above $175.

Those whose heating source already has been disconnected must pay an additional $36 reconnection fee.

The Consumers’ Counsel urged consumers to apply for assistance or contact their utility company to establish a payment plan before they face loss of service and additional reconnection fees.