Payment plan or bill assistance: what to do

Have this ready

• current bill
• household income documents
• any hardship or medical documents

Steps for any company

1. Ask the company for a payment arrangement before the due date. Ask for the terms in writing.

2. Ask which discount and assistance programs you qualify for (income-based rates, LIHEAP, medical protections).

3. Contact the state utility commission if the company refuses a plan that state rules require.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (21)

Credit unions

• BECUCall Member Assistance for hardship payment relief on a loan or credit card.

Electric, gas and water utilities

• Atmos Energy CorporationAtmos Energy offers fee-free installment plans and Budget Billing; bill help comes from state agencies and Sharing the Warmth through local agencies.
• Central Maine Power CompanyCMP customers can use the Arrearage Management Program, the Low-Income Assistance Program discount and LIHEAP, mostly through Community Action Agencies.
• Duquesne Light CompanyPayment arrangements are open to all residential customers; CAP, the Hardship Fund, LIHEAP and CARES help income-eligible or hardship households.
• EvergyEvergy offers installment plans, payment extensions and adjustable due dates, and refers customers to state and local assistance programs.
• FirstEnergyEach operating company has its own list of state programs; Ohio customers can get PIPP Plus, Pennsylvania customers PCAP, and New Jersey customers USF, PAGE and NJ SHARES.
• New York State Electric & GasNew York law gives residential customers the right to reasonable installments, budget billing and deposit installments.
• Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E)Ask for an installment plan; apply for LIHEAP first, then OG&E's Low-Income Assistance Program (Oklahoma).
• PacifiCorpEach state has its own programs; Oregon has a Low-Income Discount, Washington LIBA, California CARE (25% off), Utah HELP bill credits via HEAT agencies.
• Portland General ElectricEnroll in the Income-Qualified Bill Discount (15%-80% off for two years), ask about arrearage relief, and call your county agency for LIHEAP or OEAP.
• Potomac Electric Power CompanyAsk Pepco for budget billing, an extended due date or a payment installment plan; DC customers can use RAD and the Arrearage Management Program; Maryland customers can apply for MEAP, EUSP and USPP.
• PPL Electric UtilitiesPPL offers payment arrangements, budget billing and due date extensions to everyone, and OnTrack, Operation HELP, WRAP and LIHEAP to income-eligible households.
• Puget Sound EnergyApply for the Bill Discount Rate (5-45% off) and a PSE HELP grant ($250-$1000), then Past Due Bill Forgiveness (up to $2,500 after 12 on-time payments); set up a payment arrangement online.
• Rochester Gas and ElectricNew York law gives residential customers the right to reasonable installments, budget billing and deposit installments.
• Spire Inc.Set up a payment arrangement or Budget Billing; call 211 for LIHEAP and DollarHelp (Missouri and Alabama).
• Tampa Electric CompanyAsk for a payment arrangement online, apply for LIHEAP or EHEAP, contact a Share program partner, and ask for Due Date Plus on a fixed income.
• Washington Gas Light CompanyInstallment and budget plans for everyone; jurisdiction programs (DC RES/UDP and AMP, Maryland MEAP and USPP, Virginia VEAP) and the Washington Area Fuel Fund for eligible households.
• We EnergiesUse payment arrangements (online, app or phone) and apply for Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance or the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund.

Payment apps and money transfer

• AffirmAffirm charges no late fees, but missed payments are reported to the credit bureaus and can go to collections.
• AfterpayA missed payment pauses the account and can bring a late fee of up to $8 after 10 days; reschedule the second or third payment in the app, or call about the first or last.
• KlarnaPay in 4 payments are taken automatically every 2 weeks; a late fee of up to $7 can apply after 10 days.

Guides

• Electric and gas utilities — how complaints work
• Internet, cable and satellite TV — how complaints work
• Wireless carriers — how complaints work