Columbia Gas Of Maryland Urges Customers To Use Available Bill Payment Assistance Programs
Jan. 19, 2012
CANONSBURG, PA – Columbia Gas of Maryland is urging customers to prepare for winter heating bills and use the many payment assistance programs that are available.
Columbia Gas offers payment options to customers with limited or low income, customers who are facing special circumstances, or those who need to re-establish service.
“We strongly urge customers who may be experiencing or anticipating difficulty in paying their winter heating bills to contact Columbia Gas before they get behind in their payments,” said Deb Davis, Columbia Gas of Maryland Manager of Universal Services. “Our goal is to maintain or restore service to income-eligible customers, but customers need to contact us in order to participate in the available assistance programs.”
Columbia reminds its customers that the largest portion of their monthly bill is the cost of natural gas, which Columbia passes directly to customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with no mark up or profit. The greatest opportunity for customers to reduce their monthly bill is through weatherization and energy efficiency.
Programs available to Columbia Gas of Maryland customers include:
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Columbia Gas serves as a link to federal energy assistance funds which provide help with residential heating costs. These energy grants do not have to be repaid by the customer. Enrollment guidelines, which are revised each new heating season, are based on household size and income. MEAP applications are accepted year-round. For more information or to apply for MEAP, call Columbia Gas at 1-800-537-7431. Customers can also contact their local MEAP office to apply.
Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
USPP protects families with low incomes from utility cut-offs and allows MEAP eligible households to enter into a monthly payment program to help stabilize energy bills. MEAP grants are deducted from the estimated annual gas costs, lowering monthly budget payments. For households with back bills, special agreements with Columbia Gas are available to arrange for payment on the balance. For more information or to apply for USPP, call Columbia Gas at 1-800-537-7431.
Heat Share
The Columbia Gas Fuel Fund provides energy grants to customers with low incomes for use in offsetting arrears or restoring service to terminated accounts. Heat Share funds are only available to customers who have exhausted all other available energy assistance programs. For more information or to apply for Heat Share, call Columbia Gas at 1-800-537-7431.
Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
Columbia’s Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) has partnered with existing weatherization programs in Allegany, Washington and Garrett counties to repair and replace unsafe heating equipment. The county weatherization program is a free program that first identifies an energy usage snapshot of your home and then takes action to seal up areas of heat loss. This program is offered to customers with low incomes and high gas usage. Columbia Gas of Maryland and the Maryland Office of Weatherization have joined together to provide conservation measures designed to achieve affordable, efficient and safe gas usage. To learn more about the LIWP or to start the application process, call 1-800-537-7431.
For more information about LIWP or to apply:
• Allegany County residents should call the Allegany County Office of Home Energy Programs at 301-777-8550.
• Washington County residents should call Washington County Community Action at 301-797-4161.
• Garrett County residents should call Garrett County Community Action at 301-334-9431.
Budget Payment Plan
Available to all Columbia Gas customers, the Budget Payment Plans allow customers to spread annual gas costs evenly across the year instead of paying account balances each month, helping to eliminate high winter bills. Budget season starts in August but customers may sign up at any time. To join, call Columbia Gas at 1-888-460-4332.
In addition to these programs, Columbia Gas makes paying utility bills easy by providing online, over the telephone, automatic debit, and traditional mail-in payment options.
Media Contact: Russ Bedell
717-849-0129
Rbedell@NiSource.com
About Columbia Gas of Maryland