DaytonDailyNews.com

The number of Ohioans whose electricity or natural gas has been shut off because they couldn't pay their bills has risen 14 percent in the last year. Some fear the problem could get worse despite efforts to help people avoid shut-offs this winter.

"We're definitely concerned about the disconnects we've already had and what's going to happen this winter," said Anthony Dill, a spokesman for the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, an advocate for residential utility customers.

Dill voiced concern about the impact of the shaky economy and some utility companies proposing rate hikes.

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel said 444,337 Ohioans had their utilities shut off in the past year. That included 49,427 Ohio Edison customers; 37,754 Dayton Power & Light customers; 39,060 Duke Energy natural gas customers; 104,459 Columbia Gas customers; and 2,203 Vectren customers.

Last year, a Toledo mother and her three children died after their electricity was cut off, causing them to use candles, which caused a fire. That prompted the governor to request a 90-day moratorium on gas and electric utility disconnections for poor residential households, which the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio granted.

Fear of a disconnect sent Joy Tillman, 35, a mother of five, to the Community Action Partnership office in Dayton.

Tillman said she came to sign up again for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, which allows low-income customers to pay a percentage of their monthly income for natural gas and electric service. The program has helped Tillman avoid a desperate situation the past two winters.

"I've never gotten the gas cut off," she said. "The kids stay warm."

Joyce Price, CAP's vice president and chief operating officer, said the number of households on the PIPP rose from 10,242 to 10,356 during the past two November-to-May periods.

"Those being unable to maintain their monthly PIPP payments have increased," she said, noting that customers have been coming to her office for payment assistance to keep their utility services, even before the start of the Winter Crisis Program.

Options

Home Energy

Assistance Program (HEAP): Federally-funded program designed to help income-eligible consumers at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay for their heating costs. HEAP provides financial assistance to those who heat their homes with electric, natural gas or other alternative fuels. Consumers can receive applications and additional information by calling the Ohio Department of Development toll free at (800) 282-0880.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP): An income-based payment arrangement where low-income customers pay a small percentage of their monthly income for electric and natural gas service. Eligible consumers must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline.

Budget billing: Allows consumers to spread energy costs over a 12-month period to have more uniform monthly payments. Consumers should contact their utility company or the Ohio Consumers' Counsel to learn more.

Source: Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel