The Illuminating Company

Low-Income Rate Assistance

  • PIPP Plus
    Ohio's regulated gas and electric utilities are mandated to participate in the statewide PIPP. Low-income customers who heat with natural gas pay 6 percent of their monthly income or $10 (whichever is greater) to their gas or electric company. Customers with all-electric homes pay $10 or 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month, whichever is greater. Zero-income customers are required to pay a $10 minimum monthly payment for both natural gas and electric. When PIPP Plus payments are made on time and in full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time they pay their required monthly payment on time and in full, they no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount. They also receive a one-twenty-fourth credit toward any old debt. If they make full, on-time payments for 24 months straight, all of the arrearages would be eliminated. Eligibility: must receive primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, total household income must be 150 percent FPG or below, and, if eligible, must apply for all energy assistance programs. PIPP is administered by the Ohio Department of Development's HEAP (or LIHEAP) office.
    1-800-282-0880 (Ohio HEAP)
    http://development.ohio.gov/is/is_pipp.htm
    Contact local community action agencies at: www.oacaa.org/directory/
    Contact County Job and Family Services Agencies at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf
  • Winter Reconnect Program
    Allows most households that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored during the winter months by paying either the total amount they owe or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $20. Consumers can use the winter reconnect program through April 15. There is no income eligibility requirement for the winter reconnect program. Income-eligible households can use Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) funds for the $175 payment. Consumers can apply for
    the winter reconnect program in person at a local community action agency or by calling their utility company.
  • Ohio Energy Credit (OEC) Program
    Permanently disabled, 65-years-or-older customers may be eligible for a credit up to 30% on winter heating bills. Call the Ohio Department of Taxation, toll-free, at 1-800-282-4310.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

  • The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) was provided for under Ohio's 1999 electric restructuring legislation and is funded by the electric universal service rider. Its goal is to reduce electric consumption by households that participate in the state's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The program is targeted to high consumption, high arrears PIPP households and is composed of two types of programs:
  1. A baseload efficiency program which audits lighting, appliances and all other uses of electricity not related to heating and installs appropriate measures; and,
  2. A weatherization program for those who heat with electricity and who have moderate to high usage. This program adds insulation, performs heating system inspections and addresses health & safety measures.

The EPP began operations in March 2002 and is administered by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency.
USFMail@odod.state.oh.us for more information.

Emergency Charitable Assistance

  • Community Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP)
    Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Cleveland Salvation Army.
    216-861-8185