What to do if you Get a Final Termination Notice And Can’t Pay
Take a deep breath. Companies usually do not turn their customer’s electricity off on the date indicated on the Final Termination notice. It can take them several weeks to actually turn your electricity off, and I once helped someone who still had her electricity on two months after she was scheduled to be terminated. That said, acting quickly is the best way to ensure that your electricity stays on!
If you (or someone in your household) requires electricity to function properly (breathing apparatus, etc) then call your electric company and make sure they know this! They cannot legally turn off your electricity if it puts someone’s life in danger. What they can do is put a limiter on your electricity.
Depending on the size of the owed bill, you can call your electric company and:
Ask them to differ the payment to a later time. This means that you pay them the owed amount in a few weeks.
Ask them to set up a differed payment agreement with you, meaning that you break up your owed bill into smaller monthly payments until the bill is fully paid off. A payment agreement means that you do not accrue any additional interest on the owed money, and that you make a payment each month on top of your regular bill to pay off the balance owed.
Once you take either of those steps, the company will not shut off your electricity.
If you find that you cannot make your regular monthly payments and/or the agreed upon additional payment(s), contact your local department of social services and set up an interview for Temporary Assistance.
Here is some information about Temporary Assistance right from my local social services’ website. TLDR- If eligible, they will help you pay your outstanding bills (not just electric bills) and help you find work opportunities.
Recipients of TA receive money for basic living expenses, SNAP benefits (if eligible), and Medicaid. Eligibility for TA is based on the household’s gross income, resources, and household composition.
In order to receive Temporary Assistance adult individuals must engage in employment and/or assigned work –related activities The Employment Unit helps employable individuals prepare for and to seek employment. The individuals who are exempt from working or have limitations due to physical and/or psychological impairment are expected to participate in work-related activities as determined by the treating physician and/or psychiatrist, which will help the individual to move towards self-sufficiency such as; rehabilitation, individual therapy, physical therapy, etc. The TA/Employment Unit may approve certain schoolings or trainings to help individuals obtain and maintain gainful employment. In addition, if eligible, the TA/Employment Unit can approve childcare, transportation, and work clothing for individuals engaged in employment and/or participating in approved employment activities. The TA/Employment Unit can approve car repair or purchase for applicants or recipients who are employed and meet the eligibility criteria.
If you are denied for Temporary Assistance, call your electric company and ask them to be a part of their “Last Resort” fund. Tell them that you were denied for TA and cannot pay your outstanding bills. Every electric company has a last resort fund!
You will likely have to prove that you cannot pay your bills (through bank statements or proof of expenses).
