Trouble paying your heating bills? Help is available
Jan. 23—Illuminating Company customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills are encouraged to contact the utility now to enroll in payment plans or to receive referrals for bill assistance programs.
More than 55 million Americans struggled to pay their energy bills in 2021, and it's likely many millions more are struggling this year.
Heating bills have increased by about 17 percent across the country, costing about $177 more on average and reaching the highest cost in more than a decade, according to a Sept. 12, 2022 report by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. But how area residents heat their homes and where they live actually determines how much their heating bills will increase.
"Many of our customers continue to face financial challenges due to ongoing economic uncertainty," said Patricia Mullin, acting president of Ohio Operations for FirstEnergy. "With winter in full swing, I encourage customers who have fallen behind on their bills to contact us as soon as possible so that a member of our team can review their options with them."
Some of the programs Ohio customers may be eligible for include:
—The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP): This plan allows customers to pay a set percentage of their income toward their electric bill, regardless of the balance. Customers who maintain their payment plans may be eligible for debt forgiveness. Eligible customers should have income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. To apply, call 1-800-282-0880 or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
—Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): The program provides eligible customers with cash grants for home heating bills and emergencies. Customers must have gross income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Call the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880 or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov for more information.
—2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information, dial 211 or visit the 211 website.
—Save the Dream Ohio — Utility Assistance Plus (UAP): This program provides Ohio homeowners facing economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with assistance paying mortgages, utility bills, non-escrowed property taxes and other qualified housing costs. A household may receive up to $10,000 in utility and/or housing cost assistance. This part of the Save the Dream Ohio program is administered by participating local nonprofit agencies including Community Action Agency and the Area Agency on Aging. A list of participating organizations can be found at https://savethedream.ohiohome.org.
—Emergency Rental Assistance: Customers who are having difficulty paying utilities, rent or mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for a Home Relief Grant. Visit COHHIO — Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio — at https://cohhio.org/, to find an agency near you.
—Emergency Hardship Funds: These funds may be available to residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary assistance to pay their electric bill. Illuminating Company customers can apply for Co-Op funds at the Cleveland Salvation Army at 216-861-8185, or for the Ohio Fuel Fund by calling CHN Housing Partners or Step Forward at 216-350-8008.
Additionally, the $175 Winter Reconnect Option allows residential customers who are disconnected or at risk of disconnection the opportunity to pay $175 to have their service restored or maintained. There is no income eligibility requirement. PIPP customers who use this option may be eligible to have a reset of their past due amount.
For a complete list of assistance programs for which customers may be eligible, including installment payment plans and budget billing, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call customer service at the Illuminating Company 1-800-589-3101.
The Illuminating Company serves about 755,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.
