If you have not paid your bill, service may be disconnected – either temporarily or permanently – if you are considered a risk. It is best to let the utility company know your problem because most companies do not want to cut off your service, and they are willing to work out a plan to pay your bills. However, you can expect quick action by the utility company if:
· You have a poor record of paying bills with the local company.
· Your bill is much larger than usual.
· You have lived in the area a short time.
· Their efforts to reach you by mail or phone have failed.
Once service is cut off, you must pay the entire bill, pay a substantial deposit (sometimes twice the amount of your average bill), and in the case of the phone, reapply and pay installation charges after a permanent disconnection.
For more information, contact the Iowa Utilities board at 877-565-4450 or visit their website at: http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/util/util.htm
For information on low-income telephone assistance programs, go to: http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/util/forms/CustServ/lifelinelinkup.pdf
