Ohio adopts rule to curb utility disconnections for those seeking help - The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio adopts rule to curb utility disconnections for those seeking help
As more Ohioans seek help paying utilities, state adopts rule to curb disconnections
Mark Williams
State regulators have ordered Ohio's big electric and gas utilities to suspend disconnections of customers for nonpayment if those customers have a pending application for an energy assistance program.
The order from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio prohibits utilities from disconnecting customers for nonpayment for 30 days after a customer has applied for winter and summer crisis programs, Home Energy Assistance Programs or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan.
This is an addition to the other consumer protections surrounding utility disconnections for nonpayment.
“Today’s order will help to ensure that Ohio’s most vulnerable are not disconnected from vital utility services while they seek assistance,” PUCO Chair Jenifer French said in a statement after the order was issued last week.
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The request for the suspension came from several consumer groups that have said that they needed more time to process the growing number of applications for help.
"Going forward, electric and natural gas utilities are prohibited from disconnecting consumers for 30 days after consumers apply for financial assistance to pay their bills," Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston said in a statement. "The ruling will give low-income Ohioans a critical protection from utility disconnections while they await processing of their financial assistance."
The groups, including the Office of Consumers' Counsel, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, the Ohio Poverty Law Center, said there have been delays in processing applications for assistance.
"Recent times have been hard for many Ohioans. Consumers have faced soaring energy prices, inflation, and recovery from a pandemic, among other life challenges," the groups said in a filing with the PUCO requesting the delay. "Unfortunately, there also have been challenges for some agencies that administer energy assistance programs to help Ohioans."
One program, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, said the staff has the struggled to keep up with applications seeking help. Also, more people are seeking help because of expanded eligibility guidelines.
"During staffing challenges, it is possible for at-risk Ohioans to lose assistance under the state’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan," the filing said. "Through no fault of their own, consumers could lose assistance if they are unable to reverify their PIPP eligibility or secure an in-person appointment to complete applications for winter and summer crisis assistance."
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