Energy Assistance Programs

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)*

PIPP helps income-eligible customers maintain gas service by paying 10 percent of their total monthly household income all year. You can apply for PIPP by calling the company or by visiting a local community action agency.

As part of the PIPP program, the company will provide the following benefits when consecutive and timely payments are made:

• At the end of the 12th month, Dominion East Ohio will credit one-third (33%) of the account balance you had at the start of the 12-month period.
• At the end of the 24th month, the company will credit half (50%) of the total account balance.
• At the end of the 36th month, the company will credit the remaining balance.
• At the end of each additional 12-month period of paying your PIPP amount timely and in-full, Dominion will credit the total account balance.

If you're no longer income-eligible for PIPP or if you voluntarily leave the program, the PIPP Repayment Program can help you gradually pay off your total overdue amount.

As part of the PIPP Repayment Plan, the company will provide the following benefits:

• During the first 12 months, you pay the same amount you paid while on PIPP. At the end of the 12th month, providing you have made the required payments in full and on time, Dominion East Ohio will credit one-third (33%) of the account balance you had at the start of the 12-month period.
• During months 13-24, you pay either the current bill or budget amount. At the end of the 24th month, providing you have made the required payments in full and on time, Dominion will credit half (50%) of the total account balance.
• Months 25 and beyond, you pay either the current bill or budget amount, plus up to $20 extra to reduce the overdue balance. Dominion will match dollar-per-dollar the extra amount, up to $20. At the end of the 36th month, providing you have made the required payments in full and on time, Dominion will credit the remaining balance.

If at any point you fail to make your PIPP or PIPP Repayment Plan payment in full and on time by the due date, you will start the 36-month process over again, but the company will not cancel any credits you have already received.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Available to qualified income-eligible customers, HEAP is a government program that provides a credit for your heating bill. Although HEAP pays part of your gas bill, it is not a guarantee against shutoff. The filing deadline is usually March 31.

Applications are available at post offices and libraries, or by calling the Ohio HEAP office at 1-800-282-0880.  View the eligibility guidelines.

Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP)*

E-HEAP provides an emergency payment once each heating season to qualified income-eligible customers to help them avoid a shutoff or restore gas service. Program dates are normally November 1 through March 31.

Find out more and download an application at the Ohio Department of Development web site.

EnergyShare

EnergyShare is a Dominion East Ohio sponsored fuel assistance program of last resort designed to help individuals and families pay any type of winter heating bill - gas, wood, oil, kerosene or electricity. To be eligible for EnergyShare, the applicant must live within the company's service area, must have a termination notice and must have exhausted all other state and federal fuel assistance resources. Seniors, age 60 and older, do not have to have a termination notice.

Read more about the program or contact your local Salvation Army office to apply.

Medical Certification

Medical Certification delays a shutoff for 30 days when it would be especially dangerous to the health of a permanent member of your household. It allows you time to get financial help or make payment arrangements. It does not reduce the amount you owe. You can get a Medical Certification form by calling Dominion East Ohio. A licensed physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse, mid-wife or local board of health physician must sign the form. If one of these medical professionals notifies Dominion East Ohio of the Medical Certification by phone, they must provide a written form within seven days. If gas service is off, return the signed form within 21 days of the shut off date to restore service. Be sure to give your health care provider permission to release your medical information to us. The total certification period cannot exceed 90 days per household in any 12-month period.

Housewarming Program

Funded by Dominion East Ohio, the Housewarming Program provides weatherization assistance to help eligible customers reduce their energy usage. The program provides free weather-stripping, attic and sidewall insulation, door sweeps and other insulation devices. Client education is also part of the Housewarming Program to educate consumers on ways to reduce consumption effectively. For information, call 1-888-377-3774.

-> View the eligibility guidelines for this program.

Weatherization Assistance

Eligible customers may also receive Weatherization Assistance from the Ohio Department of Development. This federally funded program provides grants for weatherization repairs. For details, call us at 1-800-362-7557 or the Ohio HEAP office at 1-800-282-0880.

Other Programs & Options for Residential and Small Commercial Customers

Budget Plus

Customers pay a special budget amount plus one of 12 equal payments of the past-due amount. The plan is subject to review periodically so customers only pay for the gas they use.
 

Current Plus

Customers pay their current charges and make one of up to six equal payments of the past-due amount each month.
 

One-Third Winter Heating Plan

Customers pay one-third of the account balance if charges include gas used between November 1 and April 15.
 

Special Winter Assistance

During the winter heating season, special assistance is available to residential customers to help avoid a shutoff or to restore gas service until April 15. Maintain gas service or have it restored by paying the lesser of:

1. The entire past-due balance on the gas bill;
2. The past-due default payments if they are on a payment plan; or
3. $175 - This option is available one time during the winter heating season. Once service is restored, the customer will be billed a reconnection fee and be set-up on a Current Plus payment plan.