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Percentage Of Income Payment Plan (PIPP PLUS/PIPP) | Ross County Community Action Commission, Inc.

250 N Woodbridge Ave., Chillicothe, OH 45601

Eligibility

Ohio customers of a PUCO regulated utility that participates in the PIPP Plus program and have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines (Any change in household income must be reported to local community action agency as soon as possible). Households with a balance still qualify for enrollment. Must agree to accept any other energy assistance offered (Home Weatherization, etc). Any person with a fraudulent act (bad check, income not being reported, etc.) will be immediately dropped from the plan, any credits awarded from the point of fraud on will be added back to bill, and person will be ineligible to reapply for 24 months. All persons who share a common kitchen or bath are considered members of the same household and must apply on one application; in addition, college students who are absent from the home solely for the purpose of college attendance must be included in the application and cannot apply separately. The plan is not available to landlords who include utilities in the rent.

Required documents

Photo ID, Proof of household income for the past 30 days (12 months preferred) for all household members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old Applicants receiving disability assistance must bring payment documentation Seasonal and Self-employed households must provide 12 months of documentation If claiming zero income, must bring most recent IRS tax transcript, if someone has been financially helping household within the past 90 days, must bring a signed and dated letter from that person, detailing amount of money given Social Security Cards (mandatory) for all members of household of any age (for newborns, the application will be flagged for future correction) Proof of citizenship status for all household members (mandatory) - can use the following: Birth Certificate/Hospital Birth Records, Baptismal records (only when place and date of birth is shown), Indian Census Record, Military Service Record, U.S. Passport, Verified Citizenship for OWF Program, or Voter registration Cards An applicant who is not a citizen must provide documentation of status as a Legal Resident (Qualified Alien) Copy of current utility bill (must have account numbers for both gas and electric bills) For renters, landlord information (at least 2 out of 3 of Name, Address, and Phone), and lease agreement stating utilities included, if applicable.

Hours

By appointment only. Appointments take place by phone.
(740) 536-1199

Voice - voice | Utility Assistance Appointment Line

Application process

If enrolling into PIPP for the first time must make an appointment. Phone to make an appointment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. May phone agency for more information M-F: 8:00am-4:00pm. Can also apply by mail using the Energy Assistance Application, which can be found on the website, requested by phone (through the Ohio Development Services Agency), or picked up at local libraries or other public agencies. If applying by mail the application will take 12 to 16 weeks to process. REVERIFICATION: May make an appointment or walk-in (if applicable) at a community action agency to reverify. --Reverification must occur no more than 12 months from the previous reverification date. The reverification date is the actual date on which the customer completed the documentation of household income (reverification deadline should appear on monthly bills) --Since the customer is required to reverify any change in household size and income, the customer's reverification date may change from year to year. It's strongly encouraged that customers postmark reverification 12-16 weeks prior to deadline because process takes 12-16 weeks once Ohio Development Services Agency receives application. --If reverification process is not complete by deadline, customers may be dropped from PIPP program. Client may download reverification application on website (Select "Energy Assistance Programs" from the drop-down menu labeled "Individual" on homepage. Then select "Energy Assistance Programs Application".) Customers who have not reverified by their reverification date will receive a letter from the Ohio Department of Development, letting them know they have 30 days to reverify or risk being removed from the program. --Must submit completed application and necessary documents to address listed on application. --Those who are claiming zero/no income, odd jobs, or other income (not through a paycheck) must make an in-person appointment (cannot mail application, the Ohio Development

Fees

Free to enroll. Once on the plan, households that use both gas and electricity to heat home pay 5% of gross monthly income to gas company and 5% to electric company. People with all-electric homes pay 10% of their gross monthly income to electric company. Customers with ZERO income are required to make a $10 minimum payment; however, for electric, the $10 payment may be waived for up to 180 days.

Service area

Ross County, Ohio

Description

Provides an income-based payment program for eligible gas and electric customers to maintain service. Customers who pay their monthly PIPP Plus payment on time (payment received before next bill is issued) and in full will receive two credits: one forgiving the rest of that monthly bill (incentive credit) and the second forgiving 1/24th of any balance they owed prior to enrolling in PIPP (arrearage credit). If the client makes full, on-time payments for 24 straight months, all of the arrearages will be eliminated. MISSED PAYMENTS: Gas customers have one billing cycle (30 days) from their anniversary date to make up any missed payments before being removed from the program. Electric customers may be dropped if they miss two consecutive payments. Any missed (or late) payments will result in the loss of that month's credits(No fees are assessed for late payments). NOTE: The entire bill balance will become due if dropped from the program. To be re-enrolled the client must make up all missed payments that is owed from the point of removal from PIPP Plus. In addition, must pay the bills for the current monthly service for those months not enrolled in PIPP Plus. Being dropped from the PIPP Plus program is independent of any action the utility company takes to disconnect service. Customers may ask to be removed from the PIPP Plus program at any time.

Data provided by

211 Cleveland

Providing organization

Ross County Community Action Commission, Inc.

Provides supportive services for the low-income population of Ross County. Offers HEAP, Home Weatherization Program, CARES Program, a Community Resource Center and homeless shelter, and serves as grantee/delegate agency for Head Start and Early Head Start.