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By CHAT News Today

Program ends on June 18

Options available when deferred utility bills come due, says city

May 13, 2020 | 10:23 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – City utility customers who have been deferring payments due to COVID-19 are about one month away from the bill coming due.

The City of Medicine Hat says there are options available for people who may be unable to pay the accumulated and current charges.

“Residents have a lot of options,” said Dennis Egert, commissioner of corporate services. “Some customers may choose to enter a repayment plan, spreading out their payback over a 12-month period. Others may qualify to have referrals sent to other community resources for available assistance, including the Community Warmth Program.”

Anyone who is unable to pay can contact the city’s collections department at collections@medicinehat.ca or 403-529-8113 to discuss their options.

The 90-day deferral program was put in place in mid-March and will end on June 18. Customers were able to defer payments without risk of disconnection or other penalty.

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Regular collection activity will resume on June 18. Collections staff will work closely with overdue account holders to establish workable repayment programs to avoid utility disconnections, as well as Alberta Income Support and local social agencies that may provide financial assistance.

“We understand that this is a very difficult time and we want to work with customers to understand their situations so we can help as best we can,” Egert added.