Trystan Casey
If you want to check whether you owe the electric company money, you can call them or check your online account or latest statement. If you are behind on payments, you may be able to get help from the Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which can help you wipe out what you owe. If you are enrolled in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), you may be eligible for debt forgiveness of up to $8,000 if you are more than 90 days past due. If you are unable to pay your bills due to a medical emergency, PSC staff can help you work out a reasonable payment arrangement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to check if you owe money to the electric company | Call the electric company and ask them if they have any unpaid bills associated with you |
| How to pay what you owe | Contact the electric company to work out a payment agreement |
| What if I can't pay | Financial assistance programs such as LIHEAP and AMP are available to help with debt |
| What if I've moved or changed suppliers | Contact your previous supplier to check if they owe you any money |
| What if I'm unsure if I'm responsible for the bill | If you were underage during the dates in question, give the company age verification documents and they should write off the charges |
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What You'll Learn
Check your online account or latest statement
Checking your online account or latest statement is a straightforward way to see if you owe your electric company money. Most energy suppliers now have online platforms where you can access your account and view your balance and billing history. If you haven't registered for an online account, you can do so by signing up on your supplier's website. You will likely need your account number, which you can find on a previous bill, and your personal details.
If you prefer not to use an online account, you can check your latest paper statement. Your statement will show your current balance, as well as a breakdown of your energy usage and any outstanding charges. If you have misplaced your statement, you can request a copy from your supplier by phone or online.
It's important to regularly review your energy statements to identify any discrepancies or unexpected charges. If you notice any errors, contact your supplier immediately to query the charges and request a correction. Keeping a close eye on your energy bills can also help you identify ways to reduce your energy consumption and save money.
In addition to checking your online account or statement, you can also contact your electric company directly to inquire about any unpaid bills associated with your name. This is particularly relevant if you have recently moved into a new property and want to ensure any outstanding balances from previous occupants are not incorrectly attributed to you.
Remember, if you are facing financial difficulties and are unable to pay your energy bills on time, it's crucial to contact your supplier as soon as possible. Energy suppliers often have payment assistance programs or alternative arrangements to support customers in need. Don't wait until you are severely overdue on payments; being proactive can help you access available options and prevent your situation from escalating.
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Contact your previous supplier if you've moved or changed suppliers
If you've moved home or changed suppliers, it's worth checking if your previous supplier owes you money. Here are some steps you can take to address this:
- Contact your previous supplier: Give them a call or reach out to them through their website. Ask if they have any unpaid bills associated with you. It's a good idea to provide them with your previous address and account details, if possible, for accurate record-checking.
- Check your final bill: When you switch energy suppliers or move, your previous supplier should send you a final bill. This bill should indicate whether you have any credit on your account that they owe you. If you haven't received your final bill, contact them to request it. In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation for the delay.
- Understand your credit: If your account is in credit, it means you've paid them in advance for energy you didn't use. Your money is protected, and you can decide whether to leave the credit on your account to cover higher energy costs in a different season or claim it back. Some energy companies will automatically refund your credit, while others may require you to request a refund.
- Request a refund: If you decide to claim your credit, you can request a refund from your previous supplier. Each energy supplier has its own process for administering refunds. Some may have online forms, while others may require a phone call or mail request. Provide them with your start and end dates as a customer and explain that you believe you had credit that wasn't refunded.
Remember, even if you don't have all the necessary statements or meter readings, your previous energy supplier should still have the data to help you resolve this issue.
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Understand your rights as a customer
If you owe your electric company money, you have rights as a customer. Firstly, you are not responsible for another person's bill. If you were not married to the person who accrued the bill, you are not responsible for paying it. If there was no official customer of record, the company should attempt to collect from the property owner or leaseholders.
If you are facing a large bill, you can make a deferred payment agreement, which will allow you to pay the overdue amount in reasonable installments. You can propose your own payment terms, which the utility company must accept if they are fair and equitable, considering your financial circumstances. However, they can refuse if you would be paying less than a certain amount per month (for example, $10 in some places).
If you are facing housing insecurity due to unpaid bills, you should let the company know your situation. They may accept a partial payment with the remainder paid in installments. If you are an active customer, you have a right to a formal payment arrangement. If you are not an active customer, you do not need to be put on a payment plan officially; you can simply pay what you can, when you can.
If you are facing a medical emergency, your utility company should help you work out a reasonable payment arrangement. If all adults in the household are 62 or older, blind, or disabled, the utility company should make special attempts to contact you before a scheduled service shut-off to work out a payment agreement.
If you are facing a large, unexpected bill from a long time ago, you should check if you were underage at the time. If so, the company should write off the charges once you give them age verification.
If you are facing disconnection, you can apply for the Arrearage Management Program (AMP) to help you wipe out what you owe. You must be enrolled in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and owe $500 or more, among other requirements.
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Apply for debt relief programs
If you want to check whether you owe the electric company money, you can do so by checking your online account or latest statement. If you are unsure, you can always contact the company directly and ask them to clarify if you have any unpaid bills associated with you.
If you are behind on your electric bills, there are several debt relief programs that you can apply for. These programs can help you manage your debt and, in some cases, even wipe out what you owe. Here are the steps you can take to apply for debt relief:
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program provides assistance to low-income households struggling to pay their energy bills. Eligibility is based on your income, and each state or territory has its own specific requirements. You can check your eligibility and apply through your state or territory's LIHEAP office.
- Arrearage Management Program (AMP): The AMP is a program designed to help those who are behind on their electric bills. If you owe $500 or more to your electric company and are more than 90 days late on payments, you may be eligible for AMP. To apply, you must first be enrolled in LIHEAP. Once you are accepted into LIHEAP, you can apply for AMP directly through your electric company.
- Energy Assistance Fund (EAF): The EAF is a charitable organization that provides direct payment assistance to those struggling to pay their electricity bills, including seniors on fixed incomes, young families with children, and veterans. To qualify, you must be a current residential customer of the energy provider, have your name on the bill, and have the address listed as your primary residence.
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): If you are looking to make home improvements that will save money on energy costs, you may qualify for assistance through the WAP. Eligibility is based on your income or receipt of benefits through other federal assistance programs.
- Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP): This program enables utility customers to participate in solar energy projects that are remotely located from their property. It provides incentives for community solar facilities to promote the development of solar electric generating sources.
- Contact Your Utility Company: In addition to these programs, it is always a good idea to contact your utility company directly. They may be able to work with you to find ways to reduce your energy usage or set up a payment plan that works for your financial situation.
Remember, each state has different policies regarding utility disconnection for non-payment, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules in your area.
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Contact the company to ask about unpaid bills
If you want to find out whether you owe the electric company money, you can start by checking your online account or latest statement. If you are unsure, you can always contact the company to ask about any unpaid bills.
Calling the electric company is a straightforward way to find out if you have any outstanding payments. You can ask to speak to a customer service representative and request information on any unpaid bills associated with you. They may ask for some personal information to look up your account, such as your name, address, and any account or customer numbers you have. If you have recently moved, you can also ask if they have any records of unpaid bills at your previous address.
In some cases, the electric company may request additional documentation. For example, they might ask for a copy of your lease or mortgage to verify your residency. Providing this information is not a legal requirement, but it can help the company accurately assess your account status. If there were other people living with you, such as roommates, relatives, or tenants, the company may try to collect payment from them or the property owner. It's important to remember that, generally, you are only responsible for bills incurred by a spouse if you were legally married at the time.
If you are concerned about dealing with the electric company on your own, you may be able to seek free legal assistance. Organisations like Citizens Utility Board (CUB) or the ICC can provide support and guidance on handling billing disputes and debt-related issues. They can also help you understand your rights and explore options for financial assistance or payment arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
You can call the electric company and ask them if you have any unpaid bills associated with you. You can also check your online account or latest statement to see if you are in credit or have any outstanding payments.
If you are unable to pay your bill, you can contact the electric company to work out a payment agreement. You can also apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Arrearage Management Program (AMP) to help with outstanding payments.
If you do not pay your bill, the electric company may shut off your service. They must give you notice in writing and wait at least 15 days before turning off your service.
If you owe money from a long time ago, you can call the electric company and ask about any unpaid bills associated with you. If you were underage at the time, provide age verification documents, and the company should write off the charges.
In general, you are not responsible for another person's bill unless you were legally married at the time. If gas or electric service was used and there was no official customer of record, the company should attempt to collect payment from the property owner or leaseholders.
