Help for Natural Gas Billls

Columbia Gas of Ohio, which serves Champaign County, is offering various programs to help its customers save on their natural gas bills.

Columbia Gas Website

FULL program brochure

Download the full brochure here.

PROGRAMS for all customers

Payment Plans

Columbia Gas makes every attempt to assist customers who are having difficulty paying their gas bills. Customers should contact us immediately at 1-800-344-4077 to make special arrangements. 
 
Budget Payment Plan
Spreads the cost of winter heating more evenly over the year. It won’t reduce your overall cost of home heating, but it can help to avoid peak winter bills so you can plan household expenses more conveniently. For information, call Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077.
 
Home Performance Solutions
Open to all Columbia Gas residential heating customers, this program offers discounted home energy audits and generous rebates on cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements, including air sealing, attic and wall insulation and replacement high-efficiency gas furnaces. The rebates can reduce the cost of the energy-efficiency improvements by hundreds or thousands of dollars, and the improvements can reduce a home’s annual energy usage by 30% or more. Call 1-877-644-6674 for details.
 

PROGRAMS for low-income customers

HEAP – Home Energy Assistance Program
Provides a one-time assistance payment.  Applications for the 2010-2011 Regular HEAP program will be accepted through May 31, 2011. For more information or to apply, contact the local Community Action Agency or contact HEAP toll free at 1-800-282-0880.

 
Winter Crisis Program – Formerly known as Emergency HEAP
Provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected or threatened with disconnection. Must sign up for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) or another payment plan in order to receive emergency benefits.  Emergency HEAP can also help pay for heating system repairs in certain cases.  Applications will be accepted November 1 through March 31. Applications must be completed at your local Community Action Agency.  
 
WarmChoice
Columbia Gas offers an energy inspection and weatherization program for qualifying customers. WarmChoice services are provided at no cost and can reduce customer bills by an average of 30 percent. And all customers are left with safe gas heating equipment and a more comfortable home. For information go to columbiagasohio.com or contact the statewide referral service at 1-800-952-3037 to be directed to your local provider.
 
 PIPP Plus – Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus  
If your total household income is at or less than 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines, you might be eligible to pay just six percent of your monthly household income or a minimum of $10 for your natural gas bill year-round. The plan includes an arrearage crediting program when a PIPP Plus household pays the monthly PIPP Plus payment on time and in full. Some of your old debt and the rest of that month’s bill will go away in the form of a credit on your utility account. Enroll through your local Community Action Agency.
 
HeatShare
Columbia’s fuel fund program combines contributions from our customers, employees, and shareholders with company donations to assist payment-troubled customers who have exhausted other forms of financial help or who have special hardships. To apply for HeatShare, contact your local chapter of The Salvation Army.
 
Utility Fuel Fund
Provides a one-time assistance payment of up to $250 per heating season to maintain or restore service.   You do not need to be disconnected or facing disconnection to qualify. Apply through your local Community Action Agency.
 
Auction Fuel Fund
A fund of last resort – you must have exhausted all other available emergency assistance programs. The fund provides up to $250 per heating season for customers. PIPP Plus customers will require notice of disconnection. A customer payment must have been made within the last 90 days or a $25 co-pay is required. To apply for these funds contact your local Community Action Agency.
 
Winter Crisis Fuel Fund
A fund of last resort – you must have exhausted all other available emergency assistance programs. The fund provides up to $175 for customers who are disconnected or threatened with disconnection.   Apply through your local Community Action Agency.
 
Community Action Agencies
For a list of local Community Action Agencies and their contact information, visit ColumbiaGasOhio.com or call Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077.

Urbana is conveniently nestled in Champaign County in the heart of west central Ohio.

  • Incorporated in 1868
  • Approximately 6.8 square miles
  • Population 11,793 as of 2010 census
  • Home to Urbana University, a liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1500 and a 128-acre campus
  • Two national residential historic districts and multiple single sites on the registry
  • According to the Ohio Historical Society, in 1840 during the VanBuren-Harrison contest, downtown Urbana was the site for a national Whig convention dinner. Hanging nearby was a banner with the words "The People is Oll Korrect." This helped to perpetuate the national trend of using "OK," not only as a show of political support, but as a common phrase used today. (more)