Eligibility Requirements to Sign-up for PIPP Plus: - Serves Lorain County customers of a PUCO regulated utility that participates in the PIPP Plus program. - Household income threshold is 175% (previously 150%) of the Federal Poverty Guideline Level. - NOTE: Some income is deemed excludable such as income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old, child support paid-out, health insurance. - Households with a balance still qualify for enrollment (may be asked to bring down the balance before being able to enroll). - Service must be connected (can have a disconnection notice). - Must agree to accept any other energy assistance offered (such as home weatherization). - Any person with a fraudulent act (bad check, income not being reported and so forth) will be immediately dropped from the plan, any credits awarded from the point of fraud on will be added back to bill. These individuals will be ineligible to reapply for 24 months. - All persons who share a common kitchen or bath are considered members of the same household and must apply on one (1) application. - College students who are absent from the home solely for the purpose of college attendance must be included in the application and cannot apply separately. NOTE: The plan is not available to landlords who include utilities in the rent. Eligibility Requirements to Remain on PIPP Plus After Successfully Enrolled: - Missed Gas Bill Payments: Gas customers have one billing cycle (30 days) from their anniversary date to make up any missed payments before being removed from the program. - Missed Electric Bill Payments: Electric customers may be dropped if they miss two (2) consecutive payments. - Re-verification Requirement: Every 12 months the client must provide proof that their monthly household income is at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level to remain a PIPP Plus customer. At that time, the client must also make up any PIPP Plus payments that have been missed over the past 12 months. - Anniversary Requirements: Every 12 months the client must provide proof that their monthly household income is at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level to remain a PIPP Plus customer. At that time, the client must also make up any PIPP Plus payments that have been missed over the past 12 months. The client has up to 30 days past their anniversary date (the date the client initially signed up for PIPP Plus) to make up any missed payments (or the client can be removed from PIPP Plus and their entire bill balance will become due). At that time, the client's utility may offer the client an extended payment plan to help the client avoid disconnection. Opting Out of Program: - Customers may ask to be removed from the PIPP Plus program at any time.

Must complete an Energy Assistance Programs Application and provide all required documents. Details about documents needed is available by calling the toll-free Energy Assistance Appointment line. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: 1) Must complete and sign an Energy Assistance Programs Application. 2) Documentation of Income for the past 30 days/four (4) weeks. Income documentation must be presented at the time of application for all household members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old. Sources include, but are not limited to: a) Wages (all pay stubs for everyone in the household for the previous 30 days/four (4) weeks. A simple year-to-date stub is not sufficient). b) Seasonal Employment and/or Self-Employment wages (must provide verification for 12 months, such as IRS Wage/Record Transcript or 1040 with schedules). c) Pension and retirement (current pension or retirement paystub). d) All current Social Security payments (letter or bank statement showing previous month's amount received). e) Child Support (print-out from agency required even if the child support has not been received). f) Spousal Support/Alimony (bank statements or court records). g) TANF (cash issuance statement with case number showing amount for previous month). h) Utility allowances (check stubs for past month or current recertification letter). i) Unemployment Compensation (letter of determination, four (4) weeks of check stubs or printout of last four (4) weeks of disbursements). j) Worker's Compensation (letter of determination, four (4) weeks of check stubs or printout of last 4 weeks of disbursements). *** ZERO INCOME: a) Must provide an "IRS Tax Transcript" or "Verification of Non-filing Letter" from the IRS. If the applicant/household filed taxes during the previous year, then the applicant must provide a "Return Transcript" call 1-800-908-9946 or visit www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript to access and print this information out. If the applicant/household did not file taxes during the previous year, then the applicant must provide a "Verification of Non-Filing Letter", call 1-800-829-1040. b) Households that claim zero income must provide a signed, detailed statement of how needs are met over the past 4 weeks. c) If someone is supporting the household financially, the supporter must write a statement of their assistance to the household. (Such as a friend or family member who paid rent, gave cash (amount) or assisted with food, clothes or utilities). 3) Picture ID. 4) Social Security numbers, birth dates, and proof of United States citizenship for everyone in the household. 5) If renting, the applicant must have his/her landlord's name, address, phone number and monthly rent amount. 6) If applicant pays gas and electric, the applicant must bring BOTH utility bills.

Documentation can be dropped off at 936 Broadway Avenue in Lorain between 8:00am and Noon and 1:00pm and 5:00pm. Or dropped off anytime at secure drop boxes at 936 Broadway Avenue in Lorain (44052) and at Second Baptist Church located at 427 Chapman Lane in Elyria (44035). Online applications are encouraged. Varies by location. Must re-verify information on a yearly basis to remain on the program. On-time Payment Definitions for PIPP Plus Program: - Before the next bill is due. Re-verification Date: - Must re-verify income at least once per year on or before Re-verification Date year to remain on PIPP Plus. - Re-verification can take place anytime during the year including when applying for regular Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Summer Crisis Program and/or Winter Crisis Program, when household size changes, when income changes and so forth. Anniversary Date: - Must be current on monthly installments to continue on the program. - This is the date the customer joined the program (remains the same each year).