The Special Reconnect Order, issued each year by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, helped just under 200,000 Ohio households either avoid being disconnected or re-establish during the 2022-2023 winter, according to regulators. It’s in effect through April 14.
Accounts will be held from disconnection until the next billing cycle. A customer could face disconnection if they do not make payments the next month. If that customer still owes the utility money after paying $175, their past bills aren’t forgiven. But for many people, the $175 fee is cheaper than paying their entire past due balance.Anyone who uses the Special Reconnect Order, but still owes money to their utility, is enrolled into a payment plan for the overdue balance. There are three plans that are open to customers of any income.
On this plan: If someone owed $150, they’d pay $17 each month plus their budgeted monthly payment, which would likely be lower than the usual bill they’d get in the winter.Customers who are at or below 175% of the poverty level can enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, also called PIPP.