What to Do When You Are Having Trouble Paying Your Utility Bills

Having your power turned off because you are having trouble paying the bill is a terrible thing. It can be embarrassing and even unsafe. If you are encountering difficulty paying your utility bills the following is very important information.

1) Some people believe that access to light and heat is a right. It is not a right but a service we all need to pay for, just like rent, and groceries. It costs the utility companies money to produce and/or purchase the energy delivered to your home.

2) Keep in mind that there are only two utility companies in Clallam County, Port Angeles City Utilities for the Port Angeles residents and the Public Utility District (PUD) for everyone else. If you do not keep up with your utility bills, then you will not have other options for getting heat and light in your home.

3) Do not ignore the problem… hiding from your problems never works and only makes the problem worse when you have to deal with it.

4) Do not wait until you have received a notice that your power will be shut off. Solving your heat and light problems will be more expensive if you wait until you have a door notice and even more expensive if you wait until after the power is disconnected.

5) Communicate with your utility company. They want to work with you on solving this problem; the last thing they want to do is to have to turn your power off. They can suggest options like setting up a payment plan. Port Angeles City Utilities ‐ 457‐0411, PUD ‐ 452‐
9771

6) Once you are set up on a payment plan, follow through with your agreement. Your utility company is unlikely to make another payment arrangement with you if you did not follow through on the first one. If you run into problems with the agreement, it is better to call your utility company again and talk it over with them.

7) Seek help from your utility company or OlyCAP ‐ to find out how to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home. This will reduce your monthly energy costs. Port Angeles City Utilities Conservation – 417‐4718, PUD Conservation – 452‐9771 x 249, OlyCAP Weatherization Programs – 452‐9440

8) If you move out of a property, be sure to call your energy company and have your name removed from the billing. Unfortunately, some renters and even home owners either forget to notify the utility or assume the next tenant will take care of it. You are responsible for
charges up to the date you notify your utility you no longer require services. Some renters and even home owners have been billed for a long time after they have moved away from an apartment or home.

9) There are agencies, which can help families and individuals learn some very good ideas on how to get more out of their money by attending either a workshop or meeting one on one to review your budget. This in turn can help you to have more money for all your living expenses.