State: Ohio

Funding

 

Yes or No

Comment

1

Do annual SBC dollars directly go up/down based on the level of LIHEAP dollars?

No

 

2

Do SBC benefit levels directly go up/down based on the LIHEAP benefit provided?

Yes

Universal service pays the difference between a household bill, the household payment, and any assistance received (including LIHEAP).

3

Does LIHEAP/WAP determine the allocation between program components?

Yes

ODOD can allocate some to energy efficiency.

4

Do LIHEAP benefits go up/down depending on the level of the SBC benefit.?

No

 

Oversight

1

Does LIHEAP/WAP set the size of the overall budget?

Yes

ODOD recommends funding level to PUCO which approves.

2

Does LIHEAP do the program evaluation for SBC expenditures?

Yes

 

3

Does the LIHEAP office audit whether utilities make correct SBC payments?

Yes

Statute confers responsibility on PUCO which delegated it to ODOD.

4

Does LIHEAP provide the daily staffing for SBC program administration?

Yes

 

5

Does LIHEAP do data collection on SBC recipients?

Yes

 

Administration

1

Are there explicit differences in SBC and LIHEAP eligibility?

No

 

2

Are there explicit differences in the energy bill paid by SBC and LIHEAP?

Yes

Universal service is only electric

3

Does LIHEAP set the amount of the SBC benefit?

No.

Benefit is the difference between the household bill, the customer's payment and any benefits received.

4

Does LIHEAP/WAP promulgate SBC program rules?

Yes

 

5

Does LIHEAP provide the computer connection between utilities and the SBC program?

Yes

While different transactions, payments made through LIHEAP direct vendor payment system.

6

Is SBC administration centralized at the state level?

Yes

 

Outreach

1

Does receiving LIHEAP automatically enroll a consumer to receive SBC?

Yes

Unless customer is not customer of regulated utility.

2

Can a household receive SBC without receiving LIHEAP?

No

 

3

Are there explicit differences in the target population for SBC and LIHEAP?

Yes

Universal service, by statute, targeted to customers with highest arrears and highest consumption.

4

Does LIHEAP provide consumer outreach unique to the SBC program?

Yes

 

Delivery

1

Do all SBC recipients also receive LIHEAP?

Yes

 

2

All application forms for LIHEAP and SBC the same (WAP and SBC)?

Yes

 

3

Are time periods within which consumers may apply for LIHEAP and SBC the same?

No

But if persons applies for universal service when LIHEAP not running, that personis automatically included when LIHEAP opens.

4

Are intake agencies identical for SBC and LIHEAP?

Yes

 

5

Do LIHEAP pay SBC benefits directly to the consumer or to utility on consumer's behalf?

No

 

6

Does LIHEAP provide notices of the need for periodic income recertification?

Yes

 

Contact Person

 

Ms. Victoria Mroczek
Chief, OCS/HEAP
Ohio Department of Development
77 South High, 25th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43216
TEL: (614) 644-6858
FAX: (614) 728-6832
E-MAIL: mmroczek@odod.state.oh.us