COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Budget struggles are keeping people from paying utility bills on time, and waiting to get financial help can be devastating.
Last year, one in 10 homes had their utilities disconnected.
But The Ohio Consumers' Counsel is pointing Ohioans to programs that can help.
The Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, the weatherization assistance program, and percentage of income payment plans can help you keep the lights on.
Every day, counsel investigators answer nearly 200 calls.
Most of the callers are facing financial hardships and utility disconnections.
"This winter has been colder than the last, and it's really caught a lot of people off guard," Brian Vogt, with the counsel, said.
The deadline to apply for help is May 31, 2009, or whenever funds run out. And with thousands of consumers submitting applications, acting now is critical.
OCC investigators are ready Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help point you in the right direction.
To find out what assistance programs you qualify for, call 877-742-5622.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
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