Columbus, OH – Ahead of National Energy Assistance Day on Monday, Feb. 2, Columbia Gas of Ohio would like to remind customers who are worried about paying their energy bill that there are assistance programs available to keep them warm and connected.
“We are getting closer to the start of spring, but for now, the cold is here to stay. We want our customers to feel safe and connected, that’s why we want to remind you about the programs that can help if you’re facing hardship,” said Columbia Gas of Ohio President & COO Bob Heidorn. “We’re here to help. If you’re concerned about paying your bill, give us a call and our team can help identify a program that might be right for you.”
Payment assistance programs include:
- HeatShare: Administered through The Salvation Army and funded in part by Columbia Gas shareholders, HeatShare applies a one-time payment to eligible customers’ gas bills in a 12-month period.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): A state and federally funded program that provides one-time payment assistance to customers’ natural gas accounts.
- Winter Crisis Program: Once per heating season, eligible customers who are not connected to gas service or facing potential disconnection can receive bill payment assistance.
- WarmChoice®: A free home weatherization program for income-eligible Columbia Gas customers.
- Special Reconnect Order: Through April 15, customers who are facing disconnection can pay just $175 to avoid disconnection. Customers who are already disconnected must pay an additional $36 reconnection fee.
- Payment plans are also available to customers, regardless of energy assistance eligibility, who have fallen behind on their bill.
For more information about energy assistance programs, please visit ColumbiaGasOhio.com/EnergyAssistance. Not sure where to start? Give us a call at 800-344-4077.
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About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
