UniSource Energy Services electric customers who are struggling to pay their bills in full should try to make at least some payment every month – we can design a payment plan that helps – to avoid accumulating an unmanageable balance.
“We understand that some customers are worried about their bills and may not be able to pay the full amount due, but they should pay something every month to avoid falling too far behind,” said Denise Richerson, Director of Customer Services and Programs. “Working together, we can help them come up with a solution for their personal situation.”
UniSource has suspended disconnections and late fees on delinquent accounts to provide relief for customers during the pandemic. Those accommodations will extend through Oct. 15 for residential customers under rules approved last year by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Still, customers remain responsible for paying all of their current and past due balances they accumulate during this period. Customers who don’t pay their full overdue balance on their first bill after Oct. 15 will be automatically enrolled in a payment plan that divides their balance into four monthly installments. Those customers will need to pay the installment plus current charges on their monthly electric bills to avoid possible disconnection this winter.
Although Arizona businesses started to reopen in May, UniSource realizes it may take weeks or months before economic conditions stabilize and families can get back on their feet financially.
“We are able to offer customers several options and resources to help them pay down their electric bills, but we urge them to call us right away,” said Richerson.
Those options include payment extensions, payment plans and Budget Billing. To request a payment extension, log into My Account or call UniSource Customer Care at 877-837-4968. Another option is to enroll in Budget Billing, which divides your estimated annual energy costs into 12 equal monthly payments so that you pay the same amount each month, making bills more manageable.
Limited-income customers can request short-term financial assistance through nonprofit agencies or a $15 monthly discount on their bill through UniSource’s CARES program. As part of our company’s COVID-19 relief efforts, UniSource and our sister company Tucson Electric Power have donated a combined $1 million to bill payment assistance and other COVID-19 relief efforts across Arizona.
“We know that many customers are doing the best that they can, and we appreciate that,” Richerson said. “Working together, we can come up with a payment arrangement to help them pay down their balance if they just call us for help.”
