How to Contact Billing/Support to Reinstate Service
Falling behind on your utility bills, such as water, power, gas, telephone and cable, can cause tremendous anxiety---the sinking feeling when the first overdue notices arrive and you realize you cannot afford to pay, the knot in your stomach when you get a shutoff notice, the frustration and embarrassment when a service is actually disconnected. You may be tempted to ignore the whole problem, but that's a bad idea. The smart move is to contact the customer support/billing department and work with it to get your service reinstated as soon as possible.
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Instructions
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Contact the company that has shut off your service by calling the customer service number on the most recent bill or the number listed on any shutoff notice you might have received. Tell the customer service representative that your service has been shut off. He or she will probably transfer you to a specialist in the billing department.
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Ask the billing specialist exactly what you need to do to get your service reinstated. Usually, you will need to pay off any outstanding bills and make arrangements so that you do not fall behind on future payments. Sometimes the company will also charge a fee to reinstate your service. If you feel the reinstatement procedure is unreasonable, ask to speak to a supervisor. A supervisor may be authorized to offer you a better deal. Make sure to write down the terms of reinstatement and the name of the person who gave them to you.
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Ask where and how you should pay the agreed-upon amount to get your service restarted as soon as possible. Most companies will probably suggest that you pay in person at their main office. Make a note of the procedure and the name of the person who described it to you.
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Request referrals to programs that offer assistance with overdue utility bills. The specialist will probably give you the phone numbers for social service agencies like Salvation Army and United Way, or perhaps some local churches.
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Call the social service agencies to which you were referred and request their assistance. Be patient. You may find yourself on hold for long periods of time or transferred to several different counselors before you get and answer. Any agency that agrees to assist you will write a check directly to the utility company. You will probably have to come to the agency and pick up the check in person. Be prepared to provide proof of your identity and financial situation.
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Pay the amount required to get your service reinstated. Make sure to pay using the method the company suggested if you want your service restored as quickly as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Some states have laws that forbid utility companies to shut off heat during the winter months, or if the temperature is expected to drop below a certain level.
State assistance programs---sometimes known as welfare---have tightened their guidelines over the last few years. Getting approval for cash assistance usually takes several weeks; however, if you have young children in the home, you might be able to get approved more quickly.
It is much easier to prevent a shutoff than it is to get service reinstated. Contact the company and try to work out a payment plan as soon as you realize you may have trouble paying your bill.
Never try to reconnect utilities on your own if you have been disconnected for nonpayment. Not only is it illegal, but you could also hurt yourself or start a fire.
Beware of agencies that offer to loan you money at inflated interest rates or that try to charge you for their assistance. A legitimate assistance agency will not engage in either of those practices.
References
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