Percentage Of Income Payment Plan (PIPP PLUS) | Jefferson County Community Action Council

Barrier Free Restrooms|Wheelchair Accessible Building (ramps & main entrance doors).

Eligibility Requirements to Sign-up for PIPP Plus: - Serves Jefferson County customers of a PUCO regulated utility that participates in the PIPP Plus program. - Household income threshold is 175% of the Federal Poverty Guideline Level. (Any change in household income must be reported to local community action agency as soon as possible). 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. Then 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 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. - 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.

- Proof of income for all household members 18 years of age or older from day of appointment 30 days back. (paystubs Social Security, SSI, SSDI, award letters or bank statements OWF/TANF verification alimony child support unemployment workers’ compensation pensions and utility allowances). - Most recent utility bills for gas and/or electric. - When first applying client will also need proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, voter registration card, military service record) or proof of legal resident/qualified alien (naturalization papers, INS identification card). - For reverification will not need proof of citizenship unless it is not on file with PIPP. - Individuals claiming zero income must provide a notarized statement from all individuals who are providing financial assistance showing the date, their name, address, phone number and signature from the date of appointment 13 months back. This needs to be detailed showing the dates and every cash amount given to applicant or paid directly towards applicant's monthly household bills and personal expenses. If bills are paid directly to the creditor, proof of cancelled check and/or receipts are required for the previous 13 months. Households must account for how they are paying their rent and/or mortgage/property taxes, utility bills, water, sewage, trash, and personal expenses. Along with this, a statement from the Department of Job and Family Services showing all persons in the household is needed at the time of the appointment. Any person 18 years or older in the household with no income must provide proof of schooling if they are attending. - An IRS Tax Transcript will be required if a household is claiming zero income for one (1) or more years. To request a copy, call 1-800-908-9946. - If household is zero-income, please contact the agency and speak with an intake worker directly. NOTE: If someone is representing a client, that person needs to provide Power of Attorney Papers or a notarized statement of permission to process application.

Monday - Friday: 8:00am to Noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

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Free to apply. There are no deposits for PIPP Plus households. Minimum monthly payment is $10 or: - Natural gas: 6% of the client's monthly household income. - Electric: 6% of the client's monthly household income. - All-electric homes: 10% of the client's monthly household income. Late Payments: Extra fees will not be assessed for late payments. Clients will not receive the incentive or arrearage crediting benefits that come from paying their PIPP Plus payment amount on-time and in-full. NOTE: The entire bill balance including arrearages will become due if dropped from the program. To be re-enrolled the client must make up all missed payments (the Default amount) that is owed from the point of removal from PIPP Plus. In addition, must pay the full utility bill costs for the current monthly service for those months not enrolled in PIPP Plus.

Jefferson County, Ohio