Water, Power Turn-off Moratorium to End
Payment Assistance Still Available
At the
beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Columbus took the rare step of
pausing all utility turn-offs due to delinquent payments. Now that health
orders have been lifted, we are notifying customers with past-due balances that
the turn-off process for delinquent utility payments will resume on Monday,
August 23. If past-due balances are not paid by the required deadlines, city
water and/or power service will be turned off.
Starting July
7, city water and Division of Power electricity customers who are delinquent on
their accounts will begin receiving letters indicating that status, along with
a bill showing the amount currently due. The letter represents advance notice of
several weeks before the turn-off process itself begins, giving customers
additional time to explore assistance and payment options.
To pay your
bill online, please visit our Customer Portal at schedulepayment.com/Columbus.
The letter will
include a link to sources for potential financial assistance to those who need
help paying their bills, and emphasize that all customers – regardless of
income – are eligible to set up payment plans with the Department of Public
Utilities.
To set up a
payment plan, please contact our Call Center via phone or email, weekdays from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 614-645-8276, by email at [email protected] or
online at www.columbus.gov/payassist.
We are also
offering one-time utility bill assistance through the federal Coronavirus
Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Eligible Columbus residents can
qualify for up to $750 on delinquent city water and sewer bills, and up to $500
on delinquent city power (non-AEP) bills. Other potential sources of
assistance, including the city’s long running low-income and senior discount
programs, can also be found by visiting www.columbus.gov/payassist.
Customers who
live outside the City of Columbus may contact their municipality to determine
whether they offer assistance programs for their residents.
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