If you or a member of your family has a serious health problem and your utility service is threatened, you may obtain a medical certificate from your doctor or other medical professional who provides your health care. A medical certificate will prevent immediate disconnection of your service and requires your utility to allow you to set up a payment plan to pay any overdue bill. You may take advantage of one of several special payment options designed to make it easier to pay your electricity or natural gas utility bills. You may pay your bills on an equal-payment plan which will spread out your payments over the year. If you are unable to pay your electricity or gas bills for a period of time and your utility intends to cut off your service, you may also enter into a special agreement to pay the overdue amount over a period of time.
Customers are responsible for paying their utility bills on time.
Under certain circumstances, utilities may add late-payment charges to bills not paid on time. Several laws and rules protect telephone customers against unwanted phone calls from persons or companies trying to sell products or services. Through the Oregon department of Justice Oregonians can have their name added to the list. With some exceptions, telephone solicitors are generally prohibited from contacting consumers who register with the program. If you have questions about any of the matters described in this summary, please contact your local utility company or the PUC Consumer Services Division.