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-Editorial
With the intent of continuing to assist customers during the pandemic while at the same time protecting the financial health of the local, not-for-profit utility, Imperial Irrigation District will begin implementing a multi-faceted payment plan for customers who have fallen behind on their electric bills.
Starting February 17, 2021, customers with past-due balances of $50 or more will be automatically enrolled in either an 8-month or 12-month payment plan for utility debt accrued through December 31, 2020.
“Our goal is to continue to assist our customers, to keep the lights on in these difficult times, while also protecting the financial health of the district so that IID can continue to provide these essential services,” said Henry Martinez, general manager.
If you have utility debt accrued through December 31, 2020, the district will contact you with details about your specific payment plan: customers currently on an energy assistance program or that provide a COVID-19 declaration of financial hardship will be enrolled in a 12-month plan; customers who are not experiencing financial hardship will be put on an 8-month plan.
IID will continue to be flexible. Customers who request a payment plan modification in excess of eight months that are not under financial hardship will be required to pay a minimum of 25% of their past-due utility bills, with the remaining balance payable over a 12-month period.
As part of normal business practice, electrical disconnections for non-payment will resume.
If you need to speak to someone about your account, please contact the district at 1-800-303-7756 or visit www.iid.com/customer-service/contact-us.
Total customer past due balances, since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, has grown to over $11.3 million. This is four times the average outstanding customer debt and a rate that is unsustainable for the public utility.
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