To download: Click the folder with a down arrow icon. To print: Click the printer icon in the top right of the display.
If you need multiple copies for an organization or group, please contact a member of our outreach team.
Ohio’s electric and natural gas customers have the opportunity to use the Winter Reconnect Order (WRO) during the winter heating season from October 18, through April 15, to reconnect or to avoid disconnection of their utilities. The WRO applies only to Ohio’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities and does not apply to municipally-owned utilities or rural electric co-ops.
To use the Winter Reconnect Order, contact your utility company. For information on payment plans and other bill-paying assistance, contact your utility and your local Community Action Agency.
The WRO does not have any income restrictions. If a customer is eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which is based on 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, they may be able to use the HEAP Winter Crisis Program to secure the $175 required to maintain or restore their utility service under the WRO rules.
Speak with a representative of the utility company or your local community action agency before using the WRO to ensure that the utility understands the $175 payment is being used in accordance with the WRO. Otherwise it is possible that the money may be applied to a customer’s past due account without receiving the benefit and protection of the WRO.
If a customer is using the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, the community action agency will coordinate with the utility. To find the community action agency in your area, select ‘Find a local provider’ at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call 1-800-282-0880. If a customer is not working through the community action agency and they would like someone to assist them in talking to their utility company, customers can call the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826.
To download: Click the folder with a down arrow icon. To print: Click the printer icon in the top right of the display.
If you need multiple copies for an organization or group, please contact a member of our outreach team.