How to Get Help to Pay Your JEA Bill

JEA, formerly known as the Jacksonville Electric Authority, is the largest community-owned utilities company in Florida and services Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding areas. Primarily known as a power company, JEA also provides water and sewer services. Paying your JEA utilities bill can be tough due to unforeseen financial situations, medical expenses or job loss. If you are unable to pay your JEA bill, there is assistance available for both short-term and long-term financial situations. Before obtaining outside assistance to pay your JEA bill, try to rearrange your finances and decrease your spending. Take action and contact JEA and community programs as soon as you know you will be unable to pay your bill in full for a greater chance of obtaining assistance before your bill is due.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine your true financial situation. Look at your income, your average JEA bill and your financial responsibilities. Determine when you would be able to pay your bill without assistance. If you are unable to pay your bill on your own for more than two months, you need to find a long-term payment assistance program. If you will be able to get back on your feet within two months, you may qualify for short-term assistance programs.

2. Contact JEA's customer service to see if you qualify for the JEA Pay Plan for short-term payment assistance. You can also check your qualification status online at jea.com by logging into your account and answering some basic questions. If you qualify, JEA may temporary reduce your payments and allow the balance to carry-forward, or delay your payment for up to two months. Have documentation available to prove the reason for your inability to pay your bill.

3. Inquire about the Neighbor to Neighbor program by calling JEA at [phone] if you have short-term or emergency energy needs and are disabled, elderly or low-income. The qualifications for the Neighbor to Neighbor program are fairly high and will not typically pay for routine power services. More power assistance is provided during extreme weather conditions.

4. Contact local nonprofit agencies for long-term help paying your JEA bill. For Duval County residents, call First Call [phone], Neighbor to Neighbor Catholic Charities [phone] or Northeast Florida Community Action Agency [phone]. For Nassau County residents, contact the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency [phone] or the Barnabas Center [phone]. For St. Johns County residents, call St Johns Catholic Charities [phone] or St. Johns Welfare Federation [phone].

5. Request personal assistance or increase your income. If you do not qualify for official JEA bill pay assistance programs, ask your friends and family for assistance. You can also look for additional sources of income to pay your JEA bill such as online work opportunities, day labor jobs or part-time jobs.

References

• JEA Payment Options
• JEA Customer Guide Special Services and Programs
• JEA History