Georgia Power to offer special payment options for customers during COVID-19 pandemic recovery

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power has introduced a special payment plan to assist customers facing past-due balances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing payments over six months without late fees from October 2020 to March 2021. The disconnection suspension has been extended to July 15. Customers can also benefit from reduced fuel rates by 17.2%, leading to a $10.26 monthly savings for typical residential customers. Additionally, a one-time $51.5 million credit will offer $11.29 off June bills. The company encourages energy assistance through various programs and online tools.

Positive

• Special payment plan allowing six-month payments without late fees.
• Extended disconnection suspension until July 15.
• Fuel rates reduced by 17.2%, saving $10.26 monthly for typical customers.
• One-time $51.5 million credit providing $11.29 off June bills.
• Various energy assistance programs available for customers.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power is offering a special payment plan to help customers with past-due account balances accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers who enroll will be able to pay past-due balances over a six-month timeframe between October 2020 and March 2021 with no late fees.

The suspension of disconnections has also been extended until July 15 to continue assisting customers through the impacts of COVID-19. 

In addition to the special payment plan, Georgia Power is offering customers the following options:

• For customers enrolled in PrePay: Georgia Power customers who are currently enrolled in this plan and have past-due account balances can make payments for current energy usage and have a portion of their payments (25 percent) go toward their outstanding balance. No late fees will be charged if outstanding balances are paid before April 2021.
   
• For customers not enrolled in PrePay: Georgia Power customers with past-due account balances may be eligible to switch to the PrePay rate plan. Customers can sign up by July 15 with no deposit to take advantage of its special provision for paying outstanding balances with no late fees if paid before April 2021.

"We recognize that our customers across the state have endured an extraordinary burden due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kevin Kastner, Georgia Power vice president of Customer Service. "We appreciate the support of the Georgia Public Service Commission as we work to help our customers navigate through these unprecedented times."

Georgia Power customers can sign up for a special payment plan at www.georgiapower.com/paymentplan, by logging onto My Account on -7%24&a=www.georgiapower.com" rel="nofollow">www.georgiapower.com, or by calling 1-888-660-5890.

Relief on summer bills
On June 1, Georgia Power announced that the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will receive an $11.29 credit on their June Georgia Power bill. This reflects implementation of a one-time $51.5 million credit for customers, approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).

The PSC also recently approved Georgia Power's plan to reduce its fuel rates by 17.2 percent and total billings by approximately $740 million over a two-year period. The implementation of a special interim reduction will provide customers additional relief during the COVID-19 pandemic through even lower fuel rates over the upcoming summer months. The lower fuel rate and special interim reduction will lower the total bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 1,000 kilowatt-hours by a total of $10.26 per month from June through September 2020.

Energy Assistance Programs
Georgia Power partners with nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations to offer assistance programs to those in need. These programs include:

• Georgia Power's Senior Citizen Discount – Georgia Power customers 65 years of age or older who meet the income requirements for eligibility can receive up to $24 a month off their bill.
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Georgia Power supports the Division of Family & Children Services to help qualifying, low-income households pay their home energy bills.
• The Salvation Army's Project SHARE – Established in partnership with The Salvation Army, Georgia Power customers can provide assistance to residents in the same community for expenses, such as utility bills, housing, food and medical necessities. Visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/EnergyAssistance for more information.

Tips, Tools & Resources
Georgia Power encourages its customers to use online tools to help manage their energy such as the My Power Usage program, a free service connected to many Georgia Power online accounts that allows customers to track their daily energy use, project their monthly bill, and set daily or monthly usage alerts.

Customers can take advantage of the company's free 23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DOur%2520quick%2520and%2520easy%2520online%2Cmeasure%2520how%2520you%2520use%2520energy&a=Online+Energy+Checkup" rel="nofollow">Online Energy Checkup. The 15-minute quick and easy service provides a customized report to help customers understand their energy use and find ways to save money where you can use your actual power bills to give you a customized report. You will enter information about your home and family to measure how you use energy. Whether customers own a home or rent, tailored tips are available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Save. This site also includes access to a variety of rebates and incentives for both homes and businesses. Energy efficiency measures for customers include continued development and implementation of new plans and programs approved in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan.

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 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, 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 consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower [facebook.com]), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower [twitter.com]) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power [instagram.com]).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What new payment options are available for Georgia Power customers?

Georgia Power is offering a special payment plan that allows customers to pay past-due balances over six months without late fees, from October 2020 to March 2021.

How much will typical residential customers save on their Georgia Power bills?

Typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will receive an $11.29 credit on their June bill and will save $10.26 monthly due to a 17.2% reduction in fuel rates.

What is the deadline for switching to the PrePay rate plan?

Customers not enrolled in PrePay can switch without a deposit until July 15.

When does the disconnection suspension end for Georgia Power customers?

The disconnection suspension has been extended until July 15.

What assistance programs does Georgia Power offer?

Georgia Power offers several assistance programs, including senior discounts and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).