Bills for electric services shall be rendered at monthly intervals (approximately thirty (30) days apart). All bills for service shall be due and payable upon receipt but no later than the due date indicated on the bill. Due dates shall be no less than ten (10) days after the mailing of bill. A bill that remains unpaid beyond the due date shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of ten percent (10%) of the unpaid balance and after written notice given by the Cooperative, be subject to disconnection for nonpayment.

The Cooperative will provide reasonable notice(s) to the customer prior to disconnection of service for nonpayment. Such notice shall include (but not be limited to) a notice given at least 14 days prior to disconnection, a final disconnect notice served prior to disconnection, a winter period personal contact notice, and when required by the county, notice to the appropriate department of human services office prior to disconnection.
A. Delinquent Notice/Disconnect Warning: The Cooperative shall furnish by mail to the customer a written Delinquent Notice/Disconnect Warning prior to disconnection of service for nonpayment. Such notice shall:

(1) Be given at least 14 days prior to any disconnection

(2) State the amount due

(3) Identify the date after which service may be disconnected

(4) Include an explanation of payment alternatives available to the customer.

(5) Include the Cooperatives business address and telephone number to be contacted in the event the customer desires to dispute the reasons for termination.

B. Final Disconnect Notice: If a customer fails to respond to the Delinquent Notice/Disconnect Warning by making the full payment or making satisfactory arrangements with the Cooperative, a Final Disconnect Notice will be mailed at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of actual disconnect action. The final disconnect notice shall include:
(1) The date the account will be scheduled for disconnect action

(2) The options available to avoid disconnect action including medical certification (see policy 470)

(3) The business address and telephone number to be contacted to discuss the account with customer service personnel

(4) Notification that applicable fees and deposits will be required if disconnect action occurs.

C. Winter Period Personal Contact Notice: In addition to all other required notices, the Cooperative will make personal contact with the customer prior to any disconnection of electric service for nonpayment occurring on or between November 15 and April 15. This contact shall be in person, or by telephone, or by hand delivered written notice to the customer’s premises. Prior to, or as part of the personal contact, the Cooperative shall inform the occupant of the premises of the available sources of federal, state and local government aid for payment of utility bills and for home weatherization. If the customer does not respond to the Winter Period Personal Contact Notice, or refuses to accept or defaults on a pre-established payment plan, service may be disconnected for nonpayment after 10 days notice. This personal contact notice shall be in addition to the Delinquent Notice/Disconnect Warning and Final Disconnect Notice.

IV. Disconnection of Service:

In the event the customer fails to respond appropriately to the Delinquency and Final Disconnect Notices or less than satisfactory arrangements have been made for resolution of the delinquency status, disconnection of service because of failure to pay (non-pay) will be accomplished. Other than for safety reasons, no disconnection will be made on Saturdays, Sundays, or Cooperative holidays, and not after 12:30 p.m. on the day preceding such days. Disconnects will be made during the Cooperative’s normal business hours. The person making the disconnection will attempt to notify persons residing at the premises in person before the actual disconnection takes place. If no one is home, written notice will be securely attached in a conspicuous place informing the customer that the disconnection has taken place. Upon disconnection the employee will immediately notify the office by radio or phone of the action taken, account number, and whether a resident was present at the time. If the Cooperative employee encounters a resident or person on the premises he/she is authorized to accept payment of the delinquent amount plus a collection fee to avert disconnection. The Cooperative employee making disconnection is NOT authorized to make any extended payment arrangements with the customer. Delinquent account treatment must be made in the office with the member service department. Upon disconnection of service for non-pay any deposits or other fund held in the Cooperatives possession will be applied to the delinquent account balance.

Approved by the Board of Trustees of Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., on October 30, 2000. (Former Policy No. 604)

Revised and approved: February 26, 2001
Effective: February 27, 2001
Reviewed: December 7, 2004