Print CB Request (DEV0105536 - FY26 - USF Appropriation Increase)

Print Controlling Board Request

Department of Development Department of Development
DEV0105536
  • 2026
  • HB 96
Fund/Appropriation
Approved
4/27/2026

Request Summary

The Department of Development respectfully requests Controlling Board approval to increase appropriation authority in the amount of $40,000,000.00 in fund 5M40, ALI 195659, Universal Service Fund, in FY 2026, to provide required utility assistance to enrolled low-income households.

Funding

Increase Appropriation Authority
Fiscal Year Fund ALI Current Appropriation Requested Increase Proposed Appropriation
2026 5M40 - UNIVERSAL SERVICE 195659 - Low Income Energy Assistance (USF) $336,627,830.00 $40,000,000.00 $376,627,830.00

Explanation

This appropriation increase is in support of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) program, which allows participants to pay a percentage, limited to 10 percent, of their household income toward their utility bills, instead of the total amount of current charges. Participants must be at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and customers of a utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The Universal Service Fund (USF) is funded via payments both 1) remitted by electric Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) customers and 2) from electric utility customers through a rider authorized by the PUCO. Due to the increase in the cost of energy which has increased the costs of spending, this appropriation increase of $40,000,000.00 is necessary to reimburse the electric utilities for the costs of PIPP Plus.

Fund Questionnaire

  1. Identify the source of revenue that supports this request.
    • The source of revenue is a USF rider imposed on retail electric customers' utility bills located in an electric distribution utility (EDU) service territory. Each month EDUs remit to the Department of Development the USF rider collections and PIPP Plus customer payments applies to the arrearage with this request based on anticipated receipts for May and June. The Department of Development then reimburses the EDUs for the total cost of the PIPP Plus customers' electric utility bill.
  2. Has the revenue been received?
    • No
    • 5/20/2026
  3. Are federal funds being used?
    • No
  4. How will the additional appropriation and/or cash be used?
    • Yes
    • No
    • No
  5. Provide the following information below relative to this budgetary adjustment. For each entry, include a short description of what the dollars will be used to accomplish.
  6. Is there a planned use of expense account category 500 Personal Services?
    • No

Agency Contact

Jennifer Biedenharn, CFO
Phone: 614-728-9692
Email: jennifer.biedenharn@development.ohio.gov

Signatures

Lydia L. Mihalik
Date 04/06/2026
Paul Disantis
Date 04/27/2026