Emergency Notice

Several utilities and agencies offer assistance with paying bills, avoiding service disconnection and other help:

• Ohio Office of Consumers' Counsel provides help with complaints about utilities and avoiding disconnection, 877-742-5622,

• American Electric Power will work with customers on electric-bill payment plans or credit arrangements, 800-277-2177,

• Columbus/Franklin County Community Action Agency administers Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which provides money to eligible households for heating and cooling bills, 614-252-2663.

• The Breathing Association offers utility assistance year-round. The Summer Crisis Program helps qualified households pay summer cooling bills and provides window air-conditioners for the medically needy, 866-861-6399,

• Columbia Gas of Ohio will refer customers to the appropriate agency, 1-800-344-4077.

• Ohio Department of Development oversees HEAP