Fallen behind on your electric bills? Contact your electric cooperative by April 1 to work out payment options
Monday, March 20, 2017 – DES MOINES, IA – As the winter energy assistance disconnection moratorium ends on April 1, electric cooperative member-owners who are behind on their utility payments are urged to contact their local co-op as soon as possible to work out payment options to avoid disconnection. Iowa’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives are willing to work with member-owners who have fallen behind on payments to find an agreeable solution; disconnection of service is always a last resort. Here are some services and programs designed to help those who are struggling to pay their electric bills:
Payment Plans
Those who have fallen behind on their accounts may be eligible to enter into a reasonable payment agreement with their electric cooperative to pay accumulated debt over time and maintain electric service. If you are past-due on your account, contact your cooperative immediately to discuss payment plan terms.
Budget Billing
For member-owners with tight budgets, seasonally high electric bills can cause financial strife. Iowa’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives offer “levelized billing” or “budget billing” payment options which ensure consistent electric bills month-to-month, making it easier to budget and anticipate. If your home utilizes electric heat and/or air-conditioning, this is a great way to avoid those larger seasonal bills that can fluctuate dramatically with changes in the weather. To enroll in this billing option, contact your co-op’s billing department or speak to a customer service representative.
State of Iowa Resources
We also encourage anyone who has fallen behind on payments to contact the Iowa Department of Human Rights office at (515) 281-0859 regarding eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides a one-time per year payment to assist with household heating costs for eligible households. LIHEAP funds are limited, with applications being accepted on a first come/first serve basis at your local community action center from November 1 through April 30 each year. A federally funded Home Weatherization Program is also available from the Iowa Department of Human Rights, which provides long-term financial relief by improving energy efficiency in homes and educating consumers about energy consumption.
Rural Electric Cooperative Care (RECare)
Member-owners of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives (RECs) can voluntarily help other member-owners in financial need by contributing to the RECare program. RECare provides local community action agencies with funds to help low-income co-op families pay for winter heating bills and home weatherization. Contributors can opt to make a one-time contribution or a recurring pledge that will automatically be added to their monthly electric bill. To contribute to RECare, simply contact the member services department at your electric cooperative. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, more than $68,000 was donated to the RECare program by cooperative member-owners in Iowa which provided financial assistance to 357 households.
About IAEC
The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives represents the interests of not-for-profit electric cooperatives in the state, including 35 distribution co-ops and 7 generation and transmission co-ops. Owned by the members they serve, Iowa’s electric cooperatives power the lives of 650,000 Iowans throughout all 99 counties and are committed to delivering power that is safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible. Formed 75 years ago, IAEC provides many vital functions for its members including legislative representation, regulatory oversight, training and education services, safety programs, and communications support. Learn more at
www.iowarec.org.
For More Information:
Erin Campbell
IAEC Director of Communications
515-727-8945
ecampbell@iowarec.org
