I'm dealing with the PUC for a high electric bill, need advice

Submitted by theonlyfeditrust t3_z23kg0 in Pennsylvania

I'm going to try and make it short, I contacted the PUC with a dispute for an insanely high bill, utility said they can't help, PUC said they are not sure if they can help, depends on my income. They put a hold on my account for a period of time, not sure how long to process new documentation of income in hopes of updating my payment agreement.

The PUC told me years ago they set me up on one so without a change of income I can't get another. My income has changed, but it's definitely gone up.

I'm guessing they will deny my request, I just can't afford to pay them right now, I have a very sick animal at home that ate up my last pay.

I'm just wondering if the PUC denies my request, if the utility has to send me another term notice or if they're on their right to just turn me off. I'm worried i can't drag this out till my next pay in December, which is the only reason I really contacted them in the first place.

I guess when I moved my payment arrangement didn't transfer over and I've just been paying my regular bills or I had a balance and it suddenly came over. Duquesne light was not helpful.

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timewellwasted5 t1_ixeydxh wrote

What defines 'insanely high bill' versus what you were expecting?

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Gullible-Mammoth5823 t1_ixf6w5d wrote

Mine are usually ~1000 during winter. PPL is fucking garbage.

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Dredly t1_ixfax9j wrote

what in the holy fuck??? how big is your house??????

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Mine go BIG in the winter, like 700 with electric heat, we average 250 normally... thats a lot of money

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Gullible-Mammoth5823 t1_ixfbe1w wrote

Not big. Like 2100ft? Mortgage is 1024$ I really don’t know how to solve this issue and it puts me in debt every year. My house isn’t even warm. Like if you drop a wet towel on the ground, it will freeze to the floor. But I installed a double mini split unit so hopefully not seeing my breath this winter

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Dredly t1_ixffgs9 wrote

sounds like a massive insulation problem... was your house built int the 50's and never touched since?

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Gullible-Mammoth5823 t1_ixfg0pd wrote

  1. Mostly insulated. I’ve rebuilt most of it. But a big part of the house is windows. Some are single pane. Also there are no rooms. Just one big cavernous space three story space that does allow heat to fill. Because of bills I try to keep the heat off or low.
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Dredly t1_ixfgme6 wrote

those windows are basically the same as just having no window at all. Invest in heavy insulated curtains and electric baseboards right below?

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it also sounds like you really need to find a different heat source... electric heat primarily works by blocking cold air from coming in (which is why they are always under windows).

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Sorry you are getting screwed... I don't know what options you have other then broiler/natural gas... but those are going to be expensive as well with those winodws

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michael1757 t1_ixgkspp wrote

Then I'll suggest you get some ceiling fans up there. If you keep the fans on low,it'll blow all the warm heat thats stuck on your ceiling,back down to the floor,& keep it circulating. Warm air rises.

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixhhx5m wrote

That's way too high, I have a pretty big 2 story apartment and anything over 150$ is unusual. My bill was was 340$

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CharacterBrief9121 t1_ixf65kh wrote

ERAP program ERA2 if you rent. Idk who administrates in your area. Go to state website and type that in, ERAP. If you’re a homeowner there is a dif program I can’t remember, should be able to find it this same way.

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michael1757 t1_ixgkxaa wrote

Or HEAP,if you're low income.

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[deleted] t1_ixhhbh9 wrote

[deleted]

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixhi201 wrote

I'm like 1% over being eligible because they use your gross, not net.

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michael1757 t1_ixifpc6 wrote

Here in Ohio,which I would think other states have is PIP to pay your gas bill,or electric bill. Talk to whoever you get your heat with,& see if you can't get on a payment plan now. They won't be able to turn your gas,or power off during this time of year,nbut when it warms up,your bill will be bigger. Oh,PIP is a program where you pay like 10% of your gross pay every month. I don't like it,& won't enroll.

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixhlrwm wrote

I'm just barely over income

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michael1757 t1_ixial70 wrote

If you're a vet,go to the Veterans Service Commission in your county. Also try Catholic Charities.

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixhlqld wrote

They're out of funds in my county

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CharacterBrief9121 t1_ixhlsvf wrote

What? Who told you that? And what county? You can dm me the county.

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixhwzcu wrote

Allegheny County is not accepting new ERAP applications as of March 31, 2022, due to overwhelming demand and lack of remaining funds. For more information call (412) 248-0021

It's on the website

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CharacterBrief9121 t1_ixhx7sm wrote

Damn, sorry man, I know a lot of the counties near Pitt and Philly are running out of funds. LIHEAP will work for elec if you use elec for heat.

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CharacterBrief9121 t1_ixhx8fl wrote

Damn, sorry man, I know a lot of the counties near Pitt and Philly are running out of funds. LIHEAP will work for elec if you use elec for heat.

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theonlyfeditrust OP t1_ixi3cqb wrote

I'm over income by a 1%. Maybe I can make it to moratorium if I can get to the first, they can't turn me off then right?

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