City of Columbus

Columbus Power Payment Relief Program

A Payment Relief Program for City of Columbus Power customers offers a one-time credit of up to $500 annually to go towards an eligible residential electric bill.

Emergency funding is available to residential power customers who are having difficulty paying their electric bills or are at the point of disconnection. This pilot program for 2018 was made possible by an EcoSmart grant in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the Local Government Energy Partnership. Funding is still available (2023). Apply online or print the brochure and application (PDF to print & mail).

General Information:

• Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Power Payment Relief Program will run until funds are exhausted.
• This program can be used in conjunction with the senior discount program and an already established payment plan.
• Customers will receive a credit on their account, which will be noted in the city's utility billing system.
• Emergency funding cannot exceed the total current balance on customer account.

For questions, please contact Customer Service at 614-645-8276 (weekdays 7am - 3pm).

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to receive the one-time assistance you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a Columbus Division of Power customer with an active account in their name, spouse’s name, or business name.
2. Have a City of Columbus electricity account that is past due and in jeopardy of being disconnected.
3. Be considered low income or experiencing other hardship:
   a) Household income must be less than 150% of the current U.S. Bureau of Census federal poverty level (see chart below). Proof of income, for all household members over 18, can be in the form of one (or more) of these documents: Income tax return or W-2 forms; Benefit letter(s) from Social Security; Pension award statement; a letter of participation for one of the following services: Food stamp benefits, Ohio Medicaid, Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), Ohio Works First, Public housing benefits.
   OR 
   b) Customer must have experienced lost wages or business closure as a result of the pandemic or experiences other hardship. Provide the following as proof of impact:
   - Commercial customer: business type, dates of closure or reduced operations, and reason for closure or reduced operations.
   - Residential customer: documentation of unemployment.
   

Qualifying Income Levels for the this program are based on the income of all household members over 18; the maximum gross income follows:
Household Size / Maximum Income:

1 $22,838
2 $30,258
3 $35,367
4 $44,673
5 $51,587
6 $57,560
7 $63,114
8 $71,618
9 or more $84,867

NOTE: Based on the Federal Poverty Level which adjusts annually (typically in February). Above are the current 2023 figures.

Reduce Your Bill and Financial Assistance
Whether through temporary financial assistance, discount programs or conservation, there are many ways to reduce your bill and we offer payment arrangements. Income-based & senior discount programs are offered as well as information to reduce utility bills through home energy audits, conservation, high bill investigation & more. Even using Com-Til mulch can help. Learn more...