22
September
2020
|
13:47 PM
America/Denver

Salt River Project Extends Disconnection Moratorium for Customers on its Economy Price Plan Through end of 2020

The Not-for-profit Utility’s Moratorium on Disconnects will End for the Remainder of SRP Customers on Oct. 1; SRP Continues to Set up Payment Plans and Connect Customers to Bill Assistance

In response to the unprecedented circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, SRP implemented a moratorium on power disconnections starting in March. In July, SRP announced it was extending its suspension of disconnects until October. Throughout the summer, SRP has accelerated its outreach programs to find financial support for customers and develop customized payment arrangements.

As part of its latest customer-support efforts, SRP will extend its disconnect moratorium for customers on its limited income program, the Economy Price Plan (EPP), until early January. Additionally, beginning in October, SRP will automatically place its non-EPP customers with $80 or more of debt on eight-month payment plans if they have not already called SRP to set up personalized payment arrangements. Non-EPP customers on SRP’s prepay program, the M-Power Price plan, will have any accumulated debt placed in a paydown account, and a percentage of every future energy purchase will be applied to this account so they can pay off the debt over time.

SRP will put standard payment policies, including disconnects for non-payment, back in place on Oct. 1 for non-EPP customers, and SRP customer service representatives will continue to work with all customers to set up payment plans, share referrals to community action agencies with available COVID-19 relief funds, help customers switch price plans and receive payment extensions and discounts. Any of these support activities can help reduce debt and help customers with past-due balances avoid potential disconnection this fall.

Customers who are having any difficulty paying their bill should call (602) 236-8888, and SRP customer service representatives are ready discuss customers’ arrangements in more detail and work with customers on other solutions unique to their circumstances. SRP has specially trained resource counselors who work with both English and Spanish-speaking customers.

Beyond further prolonging disconnects for EPP customers, SRP will not charge EPP customers any late payment fees through early January. SRP Customer Service will also continue to work with EPP customers to develop repayment plans and identify available bill assistance through community partners so these customers do not face unsustainable debt at the start of 2021.

SRP’s Here to Help website, srpnet.com/heretohelp, provides information on a wide variety of assistance available to customers. SRP is continuing to allow customers to switch price plans at any time with no waiting period, and the utility also shares tips online on how customers on Time of Use plans can save money on their energy bills.

In keeping with longstanding policies, SRP will not disconnect customers’ power during an Excessive Heat Warning categorized by the National Weather Service.

SRP Residential Customer Service is available to serve customers 24/7 at (602) 236-8888 in English and (602) 236-1111 in Spanish.

SRP Business Customer Center representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. at (602) 236-8833.

About SRP

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 1 million customers. SRP is also the metropolitan area’s largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users.