{"id":32708,"date":"2021-10-14T11:59:42","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T16:59:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=32708"},"modified":"2021-10-22T15:49:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T20:49:37","slug":"heating-bills-will-be-expensive-this-winter-if-you-need-assistance-call-these-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2021\/10\/14\/heating-bills-will-be-expensive-this-winter-if-you-need-assistance-call-these-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Heating bills will be expensive this winter. If you need assistance, call these numbers."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Natural gas prices are double the price from 2020 and electric rates just went up, causing growing concern as cold weather draws near. Be prudent with your electric and gas usage this winter, and practice energy efficiency<\/a> <\/strong>when possible. If you\u2019re having a hard time paying your bills or you\u2019ve been shut off, these are the calls you should make:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1) Call Your Utility<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The utility company issues your bill and is the only entity with access to your account. As such, your first call\u2014no matter the issue\u2014should always be to your utility. If you are having difficulty paying your bills, contact your utility, express financial hardship and ask about assistance, including the utility\u2019s assistance programs and payment plan options<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please review the financial resources section of CUB’s website<\/strong><\/a> to learn more about utility assistance programs.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve already been shut off, contact your utility and see what you can do to get your service back on. One of the reasons CUB stresses doing everything you can to keep your service on is because once you get shut off, the company has much more leverage to dictate what you have to do to get restored, as you are no longer a customer of the utility.<\/p>\n

Utility contact information:<\/p>\n