Georgia Power offers Installment Payment Plans for customers following Hurricane Helene

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power has launched Installment Payment Plans to support customers recovering from Hurricane Helene. Eligible customers can pay their current account balance over 2, 4, or 6 months in equal installments. This initiative follows previously announced customer assistance measures, including suspended disconnections, waived late fees, and paused collection activities through December 15, 2024.

Enrollment for these plans is open until November 30, 2024. Customers can sign up online or through an automated phone system. The company encourages customers to maintain their regular billing cycle to avoid falling behind. Georgia Power's response to Hurricane Helene involved over 20,000 personnel, restoring power to more than 1.5 million customers. The Southern Company system has also pledged $3 million to support recovery efforts.

Positive

• Offering flexible Installment Payment Plans for customers affected by Hurricane Helene
• Suspended disconnections, waived late fees, and paused collection activities through December 15, 2024
• Restored power to over 1.5 million customers following the hurricane
• $3 million pledged by Southern Company system for recovery efforts
• Provides various assistance programs for customers in need year-round

Negative

• Potential increase in future payments for customers enrolling in Installment Payment Plans
• Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage across Georgia, impacting the company's infrastructure and operations

Enrollment in latest customer assistance initiative open through November 30

ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today its latest initiative to support customers as Georgia continues to recover and rebuild following Hurricane Helene – flexible Installment Payment Plans that allow customers to pay their current account balance over multiple months. The company previously announced efforts to extend and expand customer assistance options following the historic hurricane, with disconnections suspended, eligible late fees waived, and collection activities paused for residential and business customers through December 15, 2024. Read more here.

Under this initiative, eligible customers may choose to pay their balance over a period of 2, 4 or 6 months in equal installments which will be added to future payments. Existing late fees will not be included and, once an installment payment plan is established, customers will need to make timely payments to prevent any collection activities. Georgia Power encourages customers to continue paying their bills on their usual billing cycle and avoid falling behind.

Enrollment for Installment Payment Plans is available through November 30, 2024. Customers can enroll online by logging into their account, and visiting the Payment Arrangements page, or through the company's automated phone system at 877-403-7149. If enrolling via the automated phone system, customers will be asked to provide the phone number and social security number associated with their account to verify eligibility. Additional information including a step-by-step guide and frequently asked questions, is available at GeorgiaPower.com/HurricaneSupport.

Georgia Power's response to the most destructive hurricane in its history involved more than 20,000 personnel, including Georgia Power's full workforce as well as crews from dozens of other companies around the country. The company safely and quickly restored power to more than 1.5 million customers following the storm. Hurricane Helene spared virtually no part of the state and severely impacted areas such as Augusta, Savannah, Valdosta and many other communities.

The Southern Company system, including Georgia Power, also continues to coordinate and contribute to restoration and relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. On October 4, multiple charitable foundations across the system pledged $3 million to support the recovery effort. Read more here.

Programs to Help Customers Manage Energy Costs, Obtain Assistance
Georgia Power partners with nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations to offer assistance programs to those in need year-round. Popular programs include the longstanding Project SHARE program with the Salvation Army, as well as the recently expanded Income-Qualified Discount, which may amount to $33.50 per month for qualified customers. Other programs include Energy Assistance for Savings & Efficiency (EASE), and continued partnerships with community action agencies across Georgia that offer services such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), emergency assistance, home weatherization and more. Georgia Power encourages customers to use online tools such as My Power Usage to track and manage energy use, and visit GeorgiaPower.com/MyEnergy to explore all of the tools and resources available from the company to help predict and lower their bill.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/georgia-power-offers-installment-payment-plans-for-customers-following-hurricane-helene-302279693.html

SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What payment options is Georgia Power (SO) offering after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power is offering Installment Payment Plans allowing customers to pay their current account balance over 2, 4, or 6 months in equal installments, added to future payments.

When is the deadline to enroll in Georgia Power's (SO) Installment Payment Plans?

The enrollment deadline for Georgia Power's Installment Payment Plans is November 30, 2024.

How many customers did Georgia Power (SO) restore power to after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power safely and quickly restored power to more than 1.5 million customers following Hurricane Helene.

What additional customer assistance is Georgia Power (SO) providing after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power has suspended disconnections, waived eligible late fees, and paused collection activities for residential and business customers through December 15, 2024.