Ohioans who have fallen behind on a gas or electric bill can keep the service on, or get it turned back on, for no more than $175 starting October 12. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued the 2026-2027 Special Reconnect Order on September 30, and the state’s consumer advocate says there is no income test to use it.
What the order does
The commission announced that it had issued the order for the coming winter heating season. A local news report on the order puts the dates at October 12, 2026, through April 16, 2027. Under it, a residential customer of a regulated electric or natural gas utility pays no more than $175, plus any reconnection charge, to keep service or have it restored, no matter how much is owed.
The reconnection charge cannot exceed $36, according to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the state’s residential utility customer advocate. Any amount over $36 shows up on the next bill. Last winter’s consumer guide added that the $175 can be split between electric and natural gas when a household uses both…