What is the Winter Reconnect Order?

The Winter Reconnect Order is issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on an annual basis. The order allows residential customers who are disconnected or being threatened with disconnection the opportunity to pay a designated amount to have their service restored or maintained.

Who offers the Winter Reconnect Order?

All regulated natural gas and electric companies must comply with the Winter Reconnect Order.

When can the Winter Reconnect Order be used?

The Winter Reconnect Order may be used once during each heating season, which runs from mid-October through mid-April.

How much is a customer required to pay with the Winter Reconnect Order?

Residential customers are required to pay no more than $175 to maintain service under the reconnection order. If the customer’s service has already been disconnected, the customer must pay the $175 and possibly a reconnection fee of no more than $36 to restore service.

Customers requesting new natural gas or electric service, who have no previous balance with their utility, may establish service under the winter reconnect order by paying $175, rather than paying the required security deposit. Such customers may have the remaining balance of the security deposit added to their next month’s bill.

What is a reconnection charge?

A reconnection charge is one that has been approved by and is on file with the PUCO. The Winter Reconnect Order procedures do not allow companies to charge more than they otherwise are allowed in their filing as a reconnection charge. Any company that does not have a reconnection charge may not assess one.

Who is eligible to use the Winter Reconnect Order?

There is no income eligibility requirement to use the Winter Reconnect Order. Any residential customer who is served by a regulated utility company may use the Winter Reconnect Order, while it is in effect, to establish, maintain, or restore service. Customers that have multiple residential accounts may only utilize the winter reconnection order to establish, maintain, or reconnect service at the property where they reside.

How does a customer sign up for the Winter Reconnect Order?

There is no sign up required. If a residential customer’s service has been disconnected for non-payment or is being threatened with disconnection, he or she may pay the required $175 (plus any applicable reconnection charge not to exceed $36) to the utility company and follow the company’s procedures to get reconnected. If paying at an authorized agent, the customer will also need to call the utility with the receipt number to report the payment.

Customers requesting new natural gas or electric service, who have no previous balance with their utility, may establish service under the winter reconnect order by paying $175, rather than paying the required security deposit. Such customers may have the remaining balance of the security deposit added to their next month’s bill.

Can the $175 payment be made by an agency?

Yes. If a customer is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guideline, he or she is eligible to use the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) funds to pay the $175.

What if the customer owes more than $175 to the utility company?

If the customer is on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), the remaining default amount would continue to be carried as an arrearage and the customer will make his or her first PIPP payment the following month. If the customer is not eligible for PIPP, he or she is required to agree upon a payment arrangement with the utility company.

Per Rule 4901:1-18-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code, the utility companies must offer:

·   A payment plan that requires either six equal monthly payments on the arrearages in addition to full payment of current bills; or

·   A payment plan that requires payment of one-third of the balance due each month (arrearages plus current bill).

Can the utility company require a security deposit before reconnecting service?

Yes. However, the total amount the company may require a customer to pay, including the security deposit, may not exceed the Winter Reconnect Order amount for reconnection ($175 plus a possible reconnection fee of no more than $36).

What if the customer has multiple residential accounts?

Customers with multiple residential accounts who wish to utilize the winter reconnection order to maintain or reconnect service may do so only at the property where the customer resides.