Ohio consumer advocates want to limit utility disconnections

Ohioans who need help paying utilities aren't getting assistance quickly enough and risk losing power during the hot summer months, consumer advocates say.

And they're asking the state's energy regulators to step in.

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel and other organizations want the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to keep gas and electric utilities from shutting off service if consumers didn't pay their bills because of delays in financial aid. The request comes as Ohioans prepare to spend more on electricity this summer because of high energy costs.

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"For at-risk consumers and their families, financial assistance can mean the difference between connection or disconnection of their energy utility services," the groups said in a motion filed Monday. "For families, that can be the difference between hope or despair, security or danger."

Ohioans can pursue multiple avenues if they need help paying utility bills. One program bases payments on the person's income. A separate federal initiative provides assistance to Ohioans at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Advocates say the agencies in charge of these programs are understaffed and struggling to get aid to consumers in a timely fashion. On top of that, they argued, more people may be seeking assistance after the state expanded eligibility for the income-based program.

PUCO has a few weeks to respond to the motion, and a spokesman did not indicate whether the commission would back the request. Ohio utilities aren't allowed to disconnect customers over non-payment unless they're more than 60 days overdue.

PUCO also has a special reconnection policy in place for the winter months. From October to April, customers about to lose power or gas can pay up to $175 to maintain their service. The commission told utilities last winter not to disconnect people looking for assistance until five days after their appointment with a community agency.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.