Gas News Release

October 2, 2000

Payment Programs Available for Winter Heating Assistance

CLEVELAND, Oh. -- Colder weather and increased natural gas costs could mean higher bills for most customers. To help with winter heating bills, Dominion East Ohio customers can consider one or more of these programs.

Payment Plans
With the Budget Payment Plan, a customer pays a fixed budget amount each month. Dominion East Ohio will review a customer’s budget amount six months after joining the plan, and change it, if needed, so that the customer won’t have a high bill or large credit at the end of the budget year. To sign up, customers should call their local Dominion East Ohio office.

The One-Sixth Payment Plan helps customers pay off their past-due account balance. Under the plan, any previous balance of $100 or more is divided equally over the next six months, and added to a special budget amount. If a customer has a balance of $100 or more and wishes to participate in the plan, they should call their local Dominion East Ohio office.

Special winter assistance is available to help avoid a shutoff or to turn gas service back on once during the heating season between November 1, 2000, and April 15, 2001. Customers can maintain gas service or have it restored by choosing the plan that costs customers less: Pay the entire past-due balance shown on the bill. Pay past-due default payments if a customer is on a special payment plan. Pay $175.

In addition to one of the above plans, a customer may also have to pay an applicable reconnection fee if service is off.

Government Assistance Programs
New this year, customers will only have to fill out just one application form to be eligible for all of the following programs: the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIP), Emergency HEAP and Home Weatherization Assistance Programs. For an application, customers should call the State of Ohio HEAP office at 1-800-282-0880.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides a credit that is applied to a customer's heating bill. To qualify, a customer's yearly gross household income can be up to $12,525 for one person; $16,875 for two people; $21,225 for three; $25,575 for four; $29,925 for five and $34,275 for six. Add $4,350 for each additional person. For details, call the state HEAP office's toll-free number, 1-800-282-0880. Customers with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) can call 1-800-686-1557.

The Percentage of Income Plan (PIP) lets a customer keep the gas on by paying 10 percent of his or her total monthly household income. To qualify, a customer must meet HEAP/PIP income guidelines and apply for HEAP. Household income means all money received during the last 12 months for all adults in the household. Gross household income is all income received before deductions. Income includes: wages, Social Security, state unemployment, veterans benefits, strike benefits, workers' compensation, cash public assistance, relief payments, alimony and interest. It does not include money earned by children under 18.

To apply for PIP/HEAP, bring proof of your total household income for the past three or 12 months to the local HEAP office. Proof of income includes copies of: payroll stubs, Human Services case card and Ohio Bureau of Employment Services card, check or determination notice. You can also use a statement from an employer. A customer should take copies of his/her natural gas and electric bills. For the nearest HEAP office, customers should call toll-free, 1-800-282-0880. Call Dominion East Ohio for more information.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP)
Eligible, low-income customers must apply before March 31, 2001, for a one-time emergency payment of up to $175 either to avoid a shutoff or restore gas service.

Weatherization Assistance may also be available from the Ohio Department of Development. For details, call 1-800-282-0880. Local Human Services Departments or Community Action Agencies have information on these and other programs. Customers can also call the Dominion East Ohio office for more information.

Participation in Energy Choice will not affect a customer's eligibility for energy assistance. However, customers must be current with payments to participate in the Energy Choice program.

Other Assistance Programs
Weatherization assistance may also be available through the Dominion East Ohio-funded Housewarming program, which provides up to $875 worth of weatherization materials to eligible customers. In Akron, call 330-773-6838; Ashtabula 440-998-4996; Canton 330-455-6385; Cleveland 216-574-7100; Marietta 740-373-7671; New Philadelphia 330-393-2507; Warren 330-394-8029; 330-747-7921.

The Medical Certification Program delays a shutoff, or restores service, when it would be life threatening or especially dangerous to the health of a permanent member of your household. Medical certification forms are available at all Dominion East Ohio offices. The program allows you to make payment arrangements--it does not reduce the amount you owe.

Cleveland-based Dominion East Ohio, the largest natural gas distribution company in the Dominion system, serves more than 1.2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in eastern and western Ohio. Dominion (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va., is the nation's largest fully integrated electric and natural gas company, serving a combined 4 million customers.