For eligible customers of PUCO-regulated utilities, Ohio’s medical certificate can postpone a nonpayment shutoff. It does not erase the bill or guarantee power during a storm. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel explains both limits. Certificate guidance
Track three different clocks
| Clock | What the guidance says | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate period | A certificate is valid for 30 days | Utility-confirmed start and end |
| Reconnection window | It may support reconnection when service has been off no more than 21 days | Actual disconnection date |
| Repeat use | Up to three uses in a rolling 12 months | Earlier certificate dates, not just calendar year |
These periods answer different questions. Three uses are not an automatic continuous 90-day extension, and January 1 does not reset a rolling window.
Match the utility before using the form
The guidance applies to PUCO-regulated electric, gas and water utilities. For a Northeast Ohio household, start with the company named on the affected bill; do not assume every municipal service uses the same process.
A licensed medical professional determines whether the condition warrants certification and returns the form to the utility. Ask the company to confirm receipt and the effect on the account. A form saved on a computer is not proof it was accepted.
Plan for the remaining bill and an outage
The Consumers’ Counsel says charges remain payable during the certificate period and discusses payment arrangements. Keep that account conversation separate from a clinician-informed backup plan for electrically powered medical equipment.
This is an administrative planning guide, not an eligibility determination or medical advice. For an immediate medical emergency, call emergency services rather than waiting for a form to be processed.