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SMU Plans To Re-Start Disconnections For Past Due Bills

Shawano, WI, United States / TCHDailyNews
Brad Williams
Mar 19, 2021 | 9:27 AM
SMU Plans To Re-Start Disconnections For Past Due Bills


SHAWANO, WI-The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) voted unanimously to allow utilities to move forward with disconnection of service for nonpayment at the end of the annual winter moratorium after April 15, 2021. The decision was made Thursday and the action comes following a moratorium preventing utilities from disconnecting service for nonpayment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s time that people catch up.”

Brian Knapp, General Manager of Shawano Municipal Utilities says they are ready to get back to a normal schedule.

“We will be going through the notification process and possibly disconnecting accounts that are not current.”

Since the end of October, the weekly average of COVID-19 cases have decreased by more than 90% and Wisconsin has become a national leader in vaccine implementation. Customers who are behind on paying their utility bills are encouraged to arrange a payment plan with their utility providers and seek bill payment assistance before the moratorium ends.

Last year, the PSC worked closely with the Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and utilities to ensure energy assistance and crisis funding was available, including an additional $8 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) crisis funds that were available through the federal CARES Act, to qualifying households to help manage heating season energy costs and, in the case of crisis funds, decrease customers’ arrears.
Knapp says they are still willing to work with people who have suffered finiancial hardships due to COVID-19.
“We want to work with people to set up payment agreements and they are made available to anyone who needs the extra time, but hey have to contact us,” he said. “The stimulus payments have started showing up in people’s accounts, and we are hoping that it will help.”
To avoid disconnection, customers who have fallen behind on payments are encouraged first to contact their utility to set up a payment plan. If customers are having difficulty paying their energy bills, they may be eligible for assistance from the WHEAP.
Knapp says they are willing to work out arrangements if customers contact them and are willing to meet them halfway.
“They should figure out how they can pay as much as they can now and then work with our staff to set up an agreement that they can manage and we would like to see everyone try to pay at least half of their balance to do that.”
Utilities are required to offer a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) to residential customers who cannot pay an outstanding bill in full. If customers cannot reach a payment agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC by calling 1-800-225-7729, or by filing a complaint on the PSC website.

 

 

 

 

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