SHREVEPORT, LA – Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) announced today expanded bill assistance and temporary relief measures for residential customers. Many households across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas continue to manage higher electric bills due to intense heat. This summer brought extended periods of extreme heat, including weeks of triple-digit temperatures across much of SWEPCO's service territory.
“The extreme heat this summer has led to higher energy use which means higher electric bills for many customers,” said Paul Pratt, VP Customer Experience and New Business Development. “To help existing residential customers manage these costs and stay current on their accounts, SWEPCO is offering several temporary support measures.”
Effective immediately, SWEPCO will pause required deposits for existing residential customer accounts through the end of October.
Late payment fees also will be waived through the end of October for residential customers.
SWEPCO is also expanding access to its Average Monthly Payment (AMP) program, allowing more customers to qualify for predictable monthly payments that help manage seasonal increases in energy use and costs throughout the year.
"We know many of our customers are feeling the impact of higher costs for everyday items, and this summer's extreme heat has added to the challenge through higher electric bills," Pratt added. "These temporary measures give customers additional options to manage their bills, stay current on their accounts, and keep their service connected."
Customers who may need assistance should contact SWEPCO as soon as possible at 888-216-2523 to discuss available payment and assistance options.
In addition to these temporary assistance measures, customers may qualify for support through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Neighbor-to-Neighbor assistance grants, payment arrangements and other available resources. Learn more about billing and payment options, as well as ways to save energy and lower costs, at SWEPCO.com/billhelp or by calling 888-216-2523. Check out SWEPCosolutions.com to discover SWEPCO energy efficiency resources.
Customers concerned about paying their electric bill are encouraged to contact SWEPCO as soon as possible. Temporary support options are available now through the end of October, including:
- Required deposits are paused for existing residential accounts
- No late fees for eligible customers
- Expanded access to the Average Monthly Payment (AMP) budget billing program
“We want customers to know help is available," Pratt said. "If you're concerned about paying your bill, don't wait until your account becomes past due. Contact us early so we can discuss options that may help keep your account current and your service connected."