With statewide temperatures averaging 18 degrees, this past month was the seventh coldest February on record. To help customers who may have seen higher utility bills as a result, Ameren Illinois is offering a 10-percent down payment plan through March 31.
“We know that this has been a tough winter for our customers,” said Shirley Stennis, director, Ameren Illinois Customer Service. “To help ease the burden caused by higher energy usage, we’re encouraging customers who have fallen behind on their utility bills to take advantage of this payment opportunity.”
From now until March 31, eligible customers can pay 10-percent of their outstanding balance and set up a plan to pay the remaining amount in monthly installments. Beginning April 1, the minimum down-payment required to set up a payment agreement will increase. Residential customers with past due amounts or have broken a payment plan agreement and have not established a repayment schedule will be subject to service disconnection beginning April 1.
“Our goal with this payment plan is to avoid service disconnection,” Stennis said. “That’s why we’re offering short-term financial relief to eligible customers. We will only disconnect service when every reasonable effort to establish a payment plan has failed or if the customer does not pay the agreed upon payments.”
To establish a payment plan, customers should call Ameren Illinois Customer Service at 1-800-755-5000. Any customer with a certified medical condition or special need who receives a disconnect notice should immediately contact Ameren Illinois.
Some customers may be eligible to receive bill payment assistance through LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). LIHEAP provides energy services payment assistance to eligible low-income households, elderly persons and those with disabilities. LIHEAP information is available by calling the Energy Assistance Hotline at 877-411-9276.
Another source of financial assistance is Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, a program of the Energy Assistance Foundation. The program is designed to help Ameren Illinois residential customers who generally do not qualify for federal or state heating assistance. Detailed information is available at www.warmneighborscoolfriends.com.
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