A couple of ways to avoid getting your electricity shut off

I’m on the benevolence committee at our church. Quite out of the blue during the past couple of weeks we’ve had at least four requests come for help with electrical bills. This drives home that people are really struggling. People will sacrifice a lot of things before they lose electricity.

Once the electricity is shut off, there is usually a reinstatement fee in addition to back charges, so keeping the power on if at all possible is preferable to letting it lapse, not just for comfort and standard of libing, but financially as well.

In going through a few cases I’ve learned a couple of ways to help keep the power on if it’s about ready to be cut off:

Make payment arrangements with the power company. This may or may not work, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If the time for shut-off is approaching and a lot of money is owed, they may accept smaller installment payments and keep your power on. It’s not a free ride but it can possibly save the extra cost of turning it back on.
Find a church or other organization that can pledge payment to the company. Our church is able to do this. We can call the power company on behalf of someone right before the power is to be shut off, say that we’ll pay the amount needed to keep it on, and they’ll keep the power running even if they receive payment after the cutoff time. This gives a small amount of extra time before cut-off.

These are the tips I’m aware of. I’d like to hear others if you know of any!

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5 Responses to “A couple of ways to avoid getting your electricity shut off”
By Kyle on May 1, 2009 | Reply

After working in collections for years, probably the best thing you can do is ask your church or friends to front a little cash to get you through you tough times. People can be too proud to ask for help, but in a situation like this you really need to suck it up and ask, the worst they can say is no but the chance of getting help is worth the hit to your pride.
By SaveBuyLive on May 1, 2009 | Reply

I would like to add that many electric companies have energy assistance programs for low-income or otherwise needy individuals. It may be worth while contacting your electric company and seeing if you qualify.

Many electric companies also offer payment plans where you pay a single flat rate each month. This rate is calculated based on your average monthly electric use per year. You don’t pay less money in total with this plan but it does even out the payments so that those months where you use a lot of power (e.g. summer) don’t result in a massive spike in your bill.
By Avery on May 1, 2009 | Reply

Some utility companies have care funds for people who are temporarily unable to pay their bills. Check with the company if they have any sort of assistance program. I know on my bill I can opt to donate $1 – $2/bill to the relief fund.
By mbhunter on May 6, 2009 | Reply

Thanks for the extra points!
By Marcus on Jul 21, 2011 | Reply

my electric is going to be shutoff in 20min. I have seek out to churches and no help. I have asked friends and family and also went to soilservice and still no help. Witch makes me laugh because I have done my share to help people. Even when I realy don’t have it to give. because thats what my father taught me to do. I think its so sad how are country has gotten so gready and and we don’t help are friends and family in time of need. y faith in god is strong and yes maybe I lean on god alot. But he said to love and help each other. Letting my pride down trust me I have let pride go along time ago. But I will learn from this, why should I give my shirt off for a person when there not willing to do the same?
I think its great that your church does try to help people but this is why I’m proud to say that I am southern baptist because we might be small churches but we weclome you for who you are and not what you got.