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News & Information
Winter Disconnect program
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2004 article about London Please check these websites of organizations that assist individuals with developmental disabilities
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Norovirus. Noroviruses spread easily, causing more than 20 million gastroenteritis cases each year in the U.S. Protect yourself with these tips! http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Norovirus/ Patrol offers tips and warnings about driving in winter weather. The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers about the dangers of driving in winter weather and is offering some tips on what drivers should do in the event of a vehicle break down or a crash. Read more. Free Filing. The Internal Revenue Service is
promoting its Free File system. Free File is available for free, for anyone earning
under 57-thousand dollars annually. Free File is available at www.irs.gov/freefile. Over 33 million taxpayers have used the
program over the past ten years.
(to have your event listed use this form
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Winter Disconnect program available to help customers avoid disconnection Beginning Oct. 17, residential electric and natural gas customers who have experienced, or are facing, a disconnection will again have the option of making a one-time payment of $175 in order to maintain or restore their service. On Sept. 14, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued its 28th annual Winter Reconnection Order allowing customers to pay their amount owed, or $175, whichever is less plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36, if applicable. This option is available until April 13, 2012. For households with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, funds provided through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Winter Crisis Program (WCP) or other energy assistance programs may be used to pay the $175 charge. Households with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines must enter a payment plan for any remaining balance above $175. The PUCO has issued a new provision this year for certain customers who have been dropped from the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) for non-payment. These customers must pay up to $50 per utility of any PIPP Plus default amount over $175. The PUCO order applies to PIPP Plus customers in default for failure to pay their monthly PIPP Plus payments and may be facing disconnection, as well as those customers who have been disconnected and wish to reenroll in PIPP Plus. “While the Winter Reconnection Order will provide necessary assistance to customers who have been disconnected from, or are facing loss of, their electric or natural gas service, the OCC remains concerned that in the current economic climate, there are limited resources available to reduce the percentage of Ohioans facing this situation,” Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander said. “We urge those behind on their bills to seek available payment assistance or contact their local utility to arrange a payment plan before being faced with a service disruption and expensive reconnection fees.” Other highlights of the PUCO’s order are as follows:
In addition to the winter reconnection provision, the following assistance programs are available: Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) PIPP Plus is a state-initiated income-based payment arrangement where customers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may opt to pay a percentage of their monthly income for electric and natural gas service. PIPP Plus offers some good incentive programs that can help customers who pay their utility bill on-time avoid the accrual of debt. Customers applying for PIPP Plus must also apply for any other energy assistance programs for which they are eligible. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered through the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). LIHEAP is designed to help consumers at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay for their heating costs. A portion of the LIHEAP funds are used to pay for crisis assistance through the Winter Crisis Program (WCP). Customers may apply annually for LIHEAP benefits and can use the WCP program one time per heating season. LIHEAP benefit amounts vary depending on the household size, projected heating costs, location, and the amount of federal funding available. WCP benefits are limited to the $175 that can be used to avoid disconnection or to have services reconnected. Budget Billing Budget billing, administered by the utility companies, allows consumers to spread energy costs over a 12-month period to have more uniform monthly payments. Customers should contact their utility company to learn more about the program. Payment Plans When facing disconnection, consumers may propose a payment arrangement that works best for them to their utility company. If the company finds the arrangement unacceptable, it must provide one of the following options: • “One-ninth” payment plan - Customers make nine
equal payments on their arrearages and are placed on a budget payment plan. The
budget plan is based on a nine or 12-month calculation and may be adjusted
during the nine month period, as needed; Telephone Lifeline The federally funded Lifeline programs provide financial assistance to low-income residents, providing lower monthly charges, discounts to establish service and special payment arrangements for customers with traditional landline telephones. Several Ohio telephone companies also offer a state Lifeline program with higher levels of assistance. For additional information about all available assistance options, customers can visit the OCC website, www.pickocc.org. Blood and platelet donors needed as soon as possible Here and now, the Western LakeErie Blood Services Region needs 300 units of blood each and every day.
However, not nearly enough people are giving blood. Local supplies are
insufficient to meet the needs of our community’s hospitals in a timely manner.
There is also an immediate need for platelets, a blood component used to treat
cancer patients, for example. Although the local Red Cross is intensifying phone calls, e-mails and
direct mail to blood and platelet donors, the response is still not sufficient
to meet current needs. Anyone who is eligible to donate blood or platelets is asked to do so
as soon as possible. For those who have never donated - or have not
donated in a while - now is the time to try. To get as many donations as possible with the greatest efficiency, Red
Cross officials are asking eligible blood and platelet donors to make
appointments or to keep the appointments they have already made. To help, visit Redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Patrol offers tips and warnings about driving in winter weather The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers about the dangers of driving in winter weather and is offering some tips on what drivers should do in the event of a vehicle break down or a crash. From December 2010 through March 2011, 37,429 crashes occurred on snow, ice or slush covered roadways killing 46 people and injuring 7,844. Speed was reported as the main cause in 77 percent of these crashes. To view a breakdown of these crashes visit http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/Winter_Driving.pdf. In the event of inclement weather, the Patrol is urging motorists to allow extra time to get to their destination, maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the traffic ahead, pay close attention to bridges and overpasses - as they are often the first to freeze over – and to drive slowly, as everything including accelerating, turning and braking, take longer on snow-covered roadways. “- In case of a vehicle break--down, motorists should turn on their hazard warning lights, safely position the vehicle as far off the road as possible, -call 1-877-7-PATROL for assistance and remain in the vehicle until help arrives,” - explained Lieutenant John C. Altman, commander of the Toledo Post. Troopers further suggest that if you get stuck in snow; make sure that your tail pipe is free of all snow and debris, to decrease your chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Up-to-the-minute road conditions are always available by logging onto the Ohio Department of Transportation's website, www.buckeyetraffic.org. Appearances on Conklin and Company
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