Need Help with Your Utility Bills? Payment Plans are Available

Many Ohioans experience difficulties paying their utility bills. Some need more time to pay the full bill. Fortunately, extended payment arrangements may be available for many Ohio consumers. Consumers can contact the utility to ask for an individualized payment plan. 

If the utility does not arrange a personalized plan, electric and natural gas utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) are required to offer one of the following payment plans:

The “One-Ninth” Plan is available year-round. It allows consumers to pay the past-due amount in nine equal monthly payments. In addition, consumers will be set up on a budget plan. 

The budget plan is based on a consumer’s average usage over 12 months and it helps avoid bill spikes in the coldest or hottest months. The budget amount may be adjusted periodically.

The “One-Sixth” Plan is available year-round. It allows consumers to pay the past-due amount in six equal monthly payments. In addition, the consumer must also pay their current usage amount each month.  

The “One-Third,” or Winter Heating Season Plan, is available from November 1 through April 15. It allows consumers to pay a third of their total balance due each month (past due amount plus current charges) until April 15. 

Consumers may be eligible to enroll in another payment plan for any past-due amount remaining after April 15.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) is available year-round for income-eligible households. PIPP Plus allows eligible consumers to pay a percentage of the household’s monthly income instead of the full bill amount. Households with a total income at or below 175 percent of the federal income guidelines may be eligible.

Learn more about PIPP Plus with OCC’s fact sheet at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/percentage-income-payment-plan-pipp-plus. Contact the local Energy Assistance Provider/Community Action Agency (EAP/CAA) to enroll in PIPP Plus. Locate a local EAP/CAA by visiting www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance or www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Budget Billing allows consumers to pay a set amount for their utilities each month based on their average usage over 12 months. This helps avoid bill spikes in the coldest or hottest months. The utility account is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted depending on usage or changes in energy costs.

To sign up for budget billing, contact the utility. Typically, the account must be current (no past due amount). Consumers who have chosen a third-party energy supplier may not be eligible for budget billing.

If a consumer is falling behind on their utility bill payments, OCC encourages them to contact the utility immediately to make payment arrangements to avoid service disconnection. Don’t put it off! 

Learn more about disconnection protections and other bill-payment assistance programs at www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance.