Dominion East Ohio Offers Payment Programs for Upcoming Winter Heating Assistance.

Business Editors/Energy Writers

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2002

With cold weather right around the corner, Dominion East Ohio customers can consider one or more of these assistance programs to help with upcoming winter heating bills or past-due balances.

Budget Billing

With the Budget Payment Plan, a customer pays a fixed budget amount each month. Dominion East Ohio will review a customer's budget amount in February, June and October, and change it, if needed, so that the customer won't have a high bill or large credit at the end of the budget year. Customers must be current with their bill to be eligible. To sign up, customers should call Dominion East Ohio at 1-800-362-7557.

Payment Plans

For a customer with a past-due balance, Dominion East Ohio offers the Current-Plus Plan to help better manage gas bills. First, the customer decides how many months--up to six--it will take to pay off their balance. Then the company divides the current account balance by the number of months the customer selected, and adds that amount to the customer's current monthly bill. The Current-Plus Plan is available to all residential customers.

If a customer joins this or any other payment plan, the customer must make the required payments in full and on time. If a customer fails to do so, they will not be able to enter into another payment plan for one year after the day when the customer first started the original payment plan.

To learn more about payment options or the Current-Plus Plan, call Dominion East Ohio at 1-800-362-7557.

Government Assistance Programs

Customers only have to fill out just one application form to be eligible for all of the following programs: the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) and Home Weatherization Assistance Programs. For an application, customers should call the State of Ohio HEAP office at 1-800-282-0880.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides a credit that is applied to a customer's heating bill. To qualify, a customer's yearly gross household income can be up to $13,290 for one person; $17,910 for two people; $22,530 for three; $27,150 for four; $31,770 for five and $36,390 for six. Add $4,620 for each additional person. For details, call the state HEAP office toll-free at, 1-800-282-0880. Customers with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) can call 1-800-686-1557.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps a customer maintain gas service by paying 10 percent of his/her total monthly household income. To qualify, a customer must meet HEAP/PIPP income guidelines and apply for HEAP. Household income means all money received during the last 12 months for all adults in the household. Gross household income is all income received before deductions. Income includes: wages, Social Security, state unemployment, veterans benefits, strike benefits, workers' compensation, cash public assistance, relief payments, alimony and interest. It does not include money earned by children under 18.

To apply for PIPP/HEAP, customers should take proof of their total household income for the past three or 12 months to the local HEAP office. Proof of income includes copies of: payroll stubs, Human Services case card and Ohio Bureau of Employment Services card, check or determination notice. Customers can also use a statement from an employer. A customer should take copies of his/her natural gas and electric bills. For the nearest HEAP office, customers should call toll-free, 1-800-282-0880. Call Dominion East Ohio for more information.

If a customer is no longer income-eligible for PIPP, or they voluntarily leave the program, the PIPP Repayment Plan can help them gradually pay off their total arrearage amount. Current or former PIPP customers should contact Dominion East Ohio at 1-800-362-7557, for specific information on the rules and guidelines of the PIPP Repayment Plan.

HEAP Emergency Winter Crisis Assistance Program (EHEAP) Eligible, low-income customers are eligible for a one-time emergency payment of up to $175 either to avoid a shutoff or restore gas service. Applications must be completed at a local HEAP agency.

Weatherization Assistance may also be available from the Ohio Department of Development. This federally funded program provides grants for weatherization repairs. For details, call 1-800-282-0880. Local Human Services Departments or Community Action Agencies have information on these and other programs. Customers can also call the Dominion East Ohio office for more information.

Participation in Energy Choice will not affect a customer's eligibility for energy assistance. However, customers must be current with payments to participate in the Energy Choice program.

Other Assistance Programs

EnergyShare, a Dominion East Ohio sponsored fuel assistance program of last resort, is designed to help needy individuals and families pay any type of winter heating bill--natural gas, wood, oil, kerosene or electricity. Customers should contact their Local Salvation Army office to apply. A grant of up to $500 may be awarded to eligible customers.

Weatherization assistance may also be available through the Dominion East Ohio-funded Housewarming program, which provides up to $1,500 worth of weatherization materials to eligible customers. In Akron, call 330-773-6838; Ashtabula 440-998-4996; Canton 330-455-6385; Cleveland 216-574-7100; Marietta 740-373-7671; New Philadelphia 740-922-6692; Warren 330-394-8029; and Youngstown 330-747-7921.

The Medical Certification Program delays a shutoff, or restores service, when it would be life threatening, or especially dangerous, to the health of a permanent member of a customer's household. Medical certification forms are available by calling Dominion East Ohio. The program allows customers to make payment arrangements--it does not reduce the amount they owe.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a production capability of more than 3 trillion British thermal unit of energy per day. Dominion also serves 3.9 million franchise natural gas and electric customers in five states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's web site at www.dom.com.