1.0Citizens Utility Boardhttps://www.citizensutilityboard.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="sfV9UNIl9e"><a href="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/faqs/">Frequently Asked Questions</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/faqs/embed/#?secret=sfV9UNIl9e" width="600" height="338" title="“Frequently Asked Questions” — Citizens Utility Board" data-secret="sfV9UNIl9e" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! 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How do I qualify for financial assistance? CUB does not provide financial assistance, but we do provide information on resources available to people having difficulty affording their utility bills. Visit our page dedicated to resources for lower income electric, gas and telecom customers. What is budget billing? Illinois gas and electric utilities offer “budget billing” plans that allow customers to even out their monthly bills. Budget-billing plans don’t reduce the amount customers pay. Instead, these plans spread payments out over a certain period, usually a year. Natural gas customers on a budget billing plan pay more than they would in the summer and less in the winter, while the opposite is true for electric customers. Read our fact sheet on budget billing plans. How do I cut my electric and gas bills? The most reliable way to cut your energy bills is through energy efficiency. Visit our webpage devoted to efficiency programs offered by Illinois utilities.  How do I cut my phone, cable and Internet bills?  CUB offers free guides with tips on how to cut your telecom, cable and Internet bills and how to reduce automated telemarketing calls. Visit our online catalogue to request a copy of any guide. Can utilities disconnect my gas and electric service in the winter? Contrary to popular belief, your utility can disconnect your heat in the winter or your electricity in the summer. State regulations limit disconnections for nonpayment, but the details are complex.  Residential accounts are safe from disconnection: When it is below 32 degrees or expected to fall below 32 degrees within the next 24-hour period, and disconnection would affect your heat. When it is above 95 degrees or expected to  rise above 95 degrees within the next 24-hour period (electricity only). On any day preceding a weekend or holiday when temperatures are expected to meet the above criteria. There are other protections available, but also instances where the utility can cut you off immediately. Read the details on pages 14-20 in CUB’s free Gas and Electric Guide. Also, you can call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, at 1-800-669-5556, to talk to a trained consumer rights counselor about your rights.  I received a disconnection notice. What are my options? If you receive a disconnection notice, call the utility immediately to discuss your options. You may need to enter into a deferred payment arrangement, and in certain circumstances, you may be able to use a medical certificate to postpone disconnection. If you cannot afford your bills, you could be eligible for financial assistance. Do everything you can to keep from getting shut off. If you are shut off, you lose all of the rights and protections that exist for active customers. For more info, please call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, at 1-800-669-5556, to talk to a trained consumer counselor about your rights. Also consult CUB’s free Gas and Electric Guide (pages 14-20).  What is an alternative supplier? Do I have to choose one? Traditionally, a utility charges you for the gas or electric you use and the cost of delivering it to […]https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png254254