Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Message from the Consumers' Counsel:

Summer crisis program offers assistance to low-income families

While many Ohio consumers are familiar with assistance programs that offset heating costs during the winter, they may not be aware that help is available to them during the summer months as well.

It is estimated that one in 10 Ohio residential utility consumers experienced a disconnection of either their electric or gas service for nonpayment in the past year. Given the difficulty that many customers are experiencing paying electric bills during tough economic times, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is pleased that funding for the Summer Crisis Program is available this year.

The Summer Crisis Program, administered annually by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), assists households with an annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This aid is available to eligible consumers through a onetime payment of up to $175 toward their electric bill or, depending on the area of the state the applicant resides in, assistance with cooling equipment such as an air conditioner or fan, if available.

In addition to the income guidelines, households also must meet the following criteria to be eligible for assistance:

• Have a member who is at least 60 years of age or older; or

• Have a member under the age of 60 with health issues that are verified by physician documentation.

Consumers can use the following chart to determine whether their household meets the income guidelines:

For households with more than six members, add $6,545 per person for annual income; add $1,636.25 for three months.

To apply for the Summer Crisis Program, consumers need to contact their local community action agency. The community action agency determines the level of benefits that can be provided.

The program is available from July 1 until Aug. 31, 2009. Consumers also should work with job and family services and other community organizations for help. For additional information on the 2009 Summer Crisis Program or to locate the nearest community action agency, consumers should contact the Ohio Department of Development consumer hotline at 18002820880 or TDD 18006861557 or via the Internet at energyhelp.ohio.gov. Consumers also can identify their local community action agency by visiting the ODOD Web site.

For additional information on all available assistance programs or to obtain help in avoiding a disconnection, consumers should contact the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) toll free at 1877PICKOCC (18777425622) or visit the OCC Web site at www.pickocc.org.

In light of the recession and the economic struggles of many Ohio families, I'd also like to share some positive news related to electric rates in northern Ohio. Customers served by one of FirstEnergy's three Ohio operating companies are benefiting from a recent wholesale electricity auction which began with their June electric bill. For customers served by Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison, a significant decrease in generation rates has taken effect. Because the generation cost is the largest component of a customer's monthly bill, these decreases are a welcome relief. Through our advocacy at the legislature and at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), the OCC fought to bring customers the lowest prices possible.

Best regards,

Janine L. Migden-Ostrander