The Ohio Development Services Agency and Bridges Community Action Partnership want to remind Ohioans that assistance is available to help them manage their energy bills year-round.
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) provides eligible Ohioans the same amount each month for their gas or electric bill. Ohioans that are customers of a regulated utility and have an income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($36,900 a year for a family of four) are eligible.
If a customer heats the home with natural gas, the PIPP installment amount will be 6 percent of the monthly gross household income. The payment to the electric company will also be 6 percent of their monthly gross household income. If customers heat the home with electricity, the PIPP installment will be 10 percent of the monthly household income. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for assistance.
To apply Ohioans must fill out the Energy Assistance Program application and return it to Bridges Community Action Partnership. Along with the application, Ohioans need to include copies of the following documents:
-A copy of their most recent energy bills
-A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 90 days for each member
-Proof of citizenship or legal residency
When customers pay the installment on time and in full, they receive a credit for the balance of the current bill as well as a credit to any outstanding balance on their gas or electric account.
Each year, PIPP customers must re-verify income. Customers must be current on all PIPP payments by their anniversary date, which is the date they initially enrolled in the program. Failure to re-verify your income or failure to make up on missed payments may result in removal from the program.
Ohioans not eligible for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan program are encouraged to work with Bridges Community Action Partnership to identify other opportunities for assistance.
For more information about the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, contact Bridges Community Action Partnership at 937-772-9164. Additional information can be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling 800-282-0880.
