Indiana extends payment arrangement requirement for utilities during pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has extended the requirement for all utility companies under its jurisdiction to offer extended payment arrangements for residential customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order comes as the moratorium on utility disconnections is slated to end on Friday.

The IURC says utilities must continue to offer extended payment arrangements of at least six months through October 12. The commission is also continuing to suspend the collection of certain utility fees, including late fees, deposits, and disconnection or reconnection fees, through the same date.

However, the IURC says it is declining to extend the prohibition on disconnections beyond Friday.

“Under any circumstance, especially during this extraordinary period of time, we find it is in the best interests of both the utility and its customers that payment arrangements are entered into for the continued provision of safe and reliable utility service,” the commission says. “However, given the significant number of customers that have not yet entered into payment arrangements despite the increased communication about payment plans from their utilities, we are concerned that residential customers in particular may not enter into a payment plan until they face actual disconnection.”

The commission says it continues to encourage utilities not under its jurisdiction to consider implementing the same practices outlined in the order. 

You can view the full order by clicking here.