With shutoff moratorium ending, utilities must offer payment plans. Here's how to sign up.

Last month, the state agency that governs utility companies decided they must offer at least six-month-long extended payment plans for customers struggling to pay their bills in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, the state's major utilities have released the plans they will offer to customers  — and they vary widely.  

Some utilities are holding fast to the six-month requirement, while others, including Indianapolis Power & Light and Citizen's Energy, are offering payment plans as much as twice that length. One utility, Duke Energy, is extending the moratorium on disconnections by a month longer than the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ruled.  

The current end to the disconnection moratorium is set at August 14, after being extended from its previous end date by six weeks. It's important, consumer advocates say, to set up a payment plan before this August 14 deadline so that customers aren't saddled with a pile of bills right off the bat.

"The fact that some utilities are offering much more flexible arrangements and much longer terms than required really is all the more reason that folks ought to contact their utilities sooner rather than later and make the arrangements," said Anthony Swinger, a spokesperson for the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the state's consumer advocacy agency. 

Swinger also noted that customer service representatives will likely get very busy as August 14 approaches, making it that much more important to reach out early.

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Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the economy and caused job losses across the state, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers fell more than two months behind on their bills and leaned on the protections of the disconnection moratorium. 

Despite the IURC's payment plan requirements and the moratorium extension, some consumer advocates have expressed concern this won't be enough to dig some Hoosiers out of the hole that COVID-19 has put them in. 

If you're struggling to pay your energy bill, here's how to sign up for a payment plan with your utility. 

Indianapolis Power & Light

IPL is offering residential customers an option of three-month, six-month, nine-month and 12-month payment plans.

Business customers' options are a little more limited, however, extending only as long as nine months. 

IPL customers can set up a payment plan online at iplpower.com or call the utility at 317-261-8222.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy will not resume disconnections until September 15, one month later than the statewide requirement issued by the IURC. Customers will receive billing notices starting in mid-August, however, reminding them of their overdue balances.

The utility will offer three-month and six-month payment plans for both residential and business customers. 

Customers who would like to set up a payment plan can contact Duke Energy at 800-521-2232 or set it up online at duke-energy.com

Vectren Energy

Vectren Energy's payment plans will be set up on a case-by-case basis, a spokesperson for the utility said. Typical offerings will last around six months, but it is possible to set up a plan that lasts longer than that, depending on the situation, the spokesperson said. 

The utility is encouraging customers to call 1-800-227-1376 and speak with a representative to set up their payment plans.

Citizens Energy Group

Citizens Energy is also one of the few utilities to offer payment plans longer than the six-month requirement.

The utility will offer its customers plans as long as 12 months, as long as the customer can pay 15% of their balance each month and stay current with payments on new charges. 

Customers can call 317-924-3311 to set up a payment plan with Citizens Energy. 

NIPSCO

Northern Indiana Public Service Company will offer 3-month and 6-month payment plans to their customers.

To set up a plan, customers can call 1-800-4-NIPSCO or go online at nipsco.com. 

Indiana Michigan Power

A spokesperson for I&M was unable to offer specifics about the payment plans the utility will offer customers this fall, but encouraged customers to contact them directly to set up a payment plan.

To contact I&M about a plan, customers can call 1-888-710-4237, reach out on the Facebook app or go online at IndianaMichiganPower.com/Assistance.

Contact IndyStar reporter London Gibson at 317-419-1912 or lbgibson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @londongibson. 

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