Past Due Utility Bills A Growing Issue

Nearly 1,400 people owe the EWSU nearly a half million in past due utility bills.

Thomas 44 news.

The growing number-- several thousand at least-- of people around the tri-state past due on their utility bills is alarming - in the middle of a pandemic - with colder weather ahead - many are faced with the tough task of paying mounting utility bills - 44news reporter tyler druin is live tonight in evansville - he found a few tri- state programs aimed at helping those in need - nearly 1,400 people are behind on their water and sewer bills here in evansville - the utility company is owed nearly a half millions dollars- "it makes me feel angry, i have to come up with 900$ and i didn't even know about the bill- at the end of july 191 people made payment arrangements for their water and sewer utility bill in evansville - fast forward three months - now - 1,366 are behind on their bill - looking to get back on track- "i need to come up with $900 and i'm just getting back to work because of the corona thing" evansville resident dawn mangus - owns several rental properties - during the coronavirus pandemic - she too has fallen behind on her utility bills - "if you own to much, or if you have so much you don't qualify for anything, there is no debt relief for us as little people" in kentucky, utility customers whoe fallen behind on payments because of the global pandemic and economic recession could have their power, gas and water service disconnected beginning oct.

20.

"the problem is, is that folks are still using power, and the meters are still being read, if people are not paying then the bill piles up" kentucky utility consumers are behind $75 million dollars - with the colder season upon us experts say that number will balloon to at 150 million by the end of the year - "we went out and found an organization to work with to help us finance low income customers utility bills, christian community outreach responded, this year we gave them $50,000 to help low income customers keep the lights on" the public service commission found that those who paid their bills prior to the pandemic is still continuing to pay - however nearly all of the customers who didn't pay on time before have continued to fall behind even worse since mid march- "our city works really hard with people to put a payment plan together work through the late fews and everything else" according to the commission - many residential customers in kentucky and indiana in arrears, are eligible for payment assistance through the low income home energy assistance program -- right now - there is no similar program for water and sewer assistance.

For those residents in evansville that need help with their utility bill the community action program of evansville offers assistance here in the city- for a full list of assistance near you visit our website - wevv.com reporting live in evansville, tyler druin 44news.

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