HomeMy WebLinkAboutWinter Payment Plan Factsheet.pdf1 of 3 Updated 3/19/2020
Idaho’s Winter Payment Plan
When money is short, paying winter heating bills can be a major problem. Sometimes a family’s
income just will not stretch to cover all the expenses. Unemployment, disability, or illness can
cause financial hardships. There are organizations in your community that can help you. They
provide such services as budget counseling and weatherization as well as cash assistance.
I’m having trouble paying my winter heating bills. What should I do?
Contact the utility and try to make payment arrangements. Regulated gas and electric utilities
are required to make arrangements with you if you can’t pay your bill in full. You may even
qualify for a special Winter Payment Plan. Cooperative and city-owned utilities are not regulated
by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) and may not offer special payment plans.
What is a Winter Payment Plan?
A Winter Payment Plan allows you to pay less than the full amount of your bill during the winter
months (November through March). In the spring, you can make arrangements with the utility
to pay off the balance owing that accumulated over the winter. This plan is especially helpful for
customers who are seasonally employed, or expect more income in the spring.
Who qualifies?
You qualify for a Winter Payment Plan if all of the following are true:
• You are a residential gas or electric customer of a regulated utility.
• You are unable to pay in full for utility service.
• Your household includes anyone who is very sick, 62 years old or older, and 18 years old
or younger (does not include emancipated minors).
What if I have a large unpaid bill?
The utility will add the past due amount to its estimate of how much you will owe for service over
the next twelve months. That total is divided into 12 monthly payments and that monthly
payment in turn is divided in half to determine the Winter Payment Plan amount.
If you participate in the Winter Payment Plan one year, you may participate the next year if you
have honored the arrangement, and as of November 1, you owe no more than $75 or your utility
bill for the previous 30 days, whichever is greater. You may have to pay off part of the balance
you owe to qualify for the following year’s Winter Payment Plan.
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How much will I have to pay each month?
• Less than your actual monthly bill.
• The payment is equal to one-half of the normal monthly level payment amount.
• Your utility can tell you exactly what your monthly payment will be.
What advantage is there to going on a Winter Payment Plan?
If you sign up and make your required payments under a Winter Payment Plan
• Your utility service will not be shut off during the winter moratorium months.
• You will establish a good payment record with the utility.
• You will be better able to set up future payment arrangements.
If you don’t pay anything during the winter, the utility will ask for full payment in the spring and
will be less likely to allow you to make long-term payment arrangements. You also risk having
your service shut-off.
What if I don’t make my minimum monthly payments?
You will be taken off the Winter Payment Plan if you don’t make your required payments.
However, utilities can’t shut off gas or electricity service during the months of December,
January, or February if you are unable to pay AND have children, elderly, or very sick people in
your household. Utilities can shut off service in November and March.
What happens when the Plan ends?
The amount you pay under a Winter Payment Plan covers only a part of what you owe for the
gas or electricity you use. You will need to make new payment arrangements with the utility
before April. The utility can put you on a regular Level Payment Plan, set up a short-term payment
plan to allow you to “catch up” during the summer, or put together some other type of payment
schedule.
When can I sign up for a Winter Payment Plan?
The period covered by the plan is November 1 through March 31. You may sign up for a Winter
Payment Plan any time during the fall or winter, but to take full advantage of the plan, you should
sign up to begin November 1st.
How can I sign up for a Winter Payment Plan?
Call your gas or electric utility to set up a plan. The utility will tell you what your monthly payment
amount will be. You must do this every year you want to participate in the plan.
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What happens if I move in December, January or February?
If the same utility serves the new residence and the customer is on a Winter Payment Plan or a
customer that meets the criteria for the plan notifies the utility prior to the move, the utility will
continue to provide service. If there is no service at the new residence, the utility will connect
service regardless of any outstanding balance on the customer’s bill. You must connect service
at the new address within 30 days after disconnecting at the old address.
Questions?
If you have more questions about the Winter Payment Plan, contact your gas or electricity utility
or call the IPUC at 1-800-432-0369 or 208-334-0369. You can also visit the IPUC online at
https://puc.idaho.gov/.