Columbia Gas of Ohio has announced that it has more than $2.7 million available to income-eligible customers who need assistance paying their natural gas bills this winter.
These fuel funds are in addition to the Ohio LIHEAP and PIPP Plus programs.
The $2.7 million includes:
Columbia’s Auction Fuel Fund, which contains $600,000 for the 2010-11 winter heating season. This fund can provide up to $250 per heating season and is a fund of last resort for families who have exhausted all other available emergency assistance programs. Households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) qualify for this fund.
Columbia’s Utility Fuel Fund has $1.8 million available until funds are exhausted. This fund offers a one-time assistance payment of up to $250 per heating season to maintain or restore service. Customers do not need to be disconnected or facing disconnection to qualify. Households between 175 and 200 percent of FPG qualify for this fund.
The Winter Crisis Fuel Fund, with $312,500 available, is a fund of last resort that can provide up to $175 to customers who are disconnected or threatened with disconnection. Households at or below 200 percent of FPG qualify for this fund.
Columbia Gas of Ohio is the largest natural gas utility in the state, serving about 1.4 million customers in 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The company says interrupting a customer’s service is always the last resort, and the company will work with people to avoid disconnection.
For more information, visit www.columbiagasohio.com.
Source: Newspapers, Columbia Gas
