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Special Reconnect Order (SRO)

OCC-SRO-AD-2026
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Special Reconnect Order Guidelines

The SRO is available from Oct. 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027 for electric and natural gas customers of a PUCO-regulated utility. There are no income restrictions to use the SRO. Customers should contact their utility to use the SRO. 

  • The SRO allows any electric or natural gas customer of PUCO-regulated utilities to pay only $175 to maintain or reconnect service even if their outstanding balance is higher.  
  • If the service has been disconnected, the customer may be charged a reconnection fee of no more than $36 upfront to restore service. If the company’s reconnection fee is more than $36, the customer may have to pay the balance on the next month’s bill.  
  • Eligible customers may enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) if total household income is at or below 175% of the federal income guidelines. For PIPP Plus or Graduate PIPP Plus customers, any remaining amount over $175 will be added to the PIPP arrearage (total account balance).  Learn about PIPP Plus and Graduate PIPP Plus at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/pipp-plus.
  • The SRO can be used to establish new utility services by paying $175 instead of the full security deposit. If the required deposit is more than $175, the remaining balance will be added to the next month’s bill. PIPP Plus customers will not be charged a security deposit.
  • If both natural gas and electric services are facing disconnection, or are already disconnected, the customer can use the SRO for both utilities at the same time. The $175 payment can be split between two PUCO-regulated utilities as agreed upon by both companies. For further details, contact the utility company.

Assistance with the Special Reconnection Order

  • When the total household income is at or below 175% of the federal income guidelines, customers may be eligible to receive assistance with the $175 payment through the Winter Crisis Program (WCP).
  • When an appointment for WCP is made with a local Energy Assistance Provider/Community Action Agency (EAP/CAA), PUCO-regulated utilities must delay disconnection for 30 days after the appointment date.
  • The 30-day disconnection hold: Customers may use the 30-day disconnection hold once per year, during either the Winter Crisis Program (November 1-March 31) or the Summer Crisis Program (July 1-September 30). In months when neither program is available, customers may delay disconnection for 30 days if they have a pending application for PIPP Plus or the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). When using the SRO, customers should work with the utility or the local EAP/CAA to ensure the $175 payment is applied correctly.

When using the SRO, customers should work with the utility or the local EAP/CAA to ensure the $175 payment is applied correctly.

To learn more about utility assistance programs and other disconnection protections in Ohio, visit www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance. To locate a local EAP/CAA, visit www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance or www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. Customers can also contact the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826 for questions or assistance regarding the SRO.

Contact the utility:

AES Ohio
1-800-433-8500
www.aes-ohio.com

Columbia Gas of Ohio
1-800-344-4077
www.columbiagasohio.com

Duke Energy
1-800-544-6900
www.duke-energy.com

Enbridge Gas
1-800-362-7557
www.enbridgegas.com/ohio

FirstEnergy – Ohio Edison
1-800-633-4766
www.firstenergycorp.com

FirstEnergy – The Illuminating Company
1-800-589-3101
www.firstenergycorp.com

FirstEnergy – Toledo Edison
1-800-447-3333
www.firstenergycorp.com

Ohio Power Company (formerly AEP)
1-800-672-2231
www.ohiopowerco.com

National Fuel (formerly CenterPoint Energy)
1-800-838-0933
www.nationalfuel.com/ohio


 

OCC SRO POSTER 2026
Download and print this poster or view PDF. 
Descargue e imprima este póster o vealo en PDF.

 

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.