Options Available Following 90-Day Utility Deferral Program
Medicine Hat – To support residents impacted by COVID-19, the City of Medicine Hat instituted a Utility Deferral Program from March 16, 2020 to June 18, 2020. This program allows customers to defer 90 days of utility charges without penalty or risk of disconnection.
“We needed to support the community through these difficult times,” said Dennis Egert, Commissioner of Corporate Services. “Residents are facing undue hardship and financial stress, and many would not have been able to keep up with their utility bills or taxes.”
At the end of the 90-day payment deferral program, some customers may not be able to pay the accumulated and current charges. In these cases, customers may contact the Collections Department at collections@medicinehat.ca, or call 403.529.8113, to discuss available repayment options.
"Residents have a lot of options,” said Egert. “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.”
Regular collection activity will resume after the Utility Deferral Program ends on June 18, 2020. 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.
For more information on repayment options, visit the City's website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dennis Egert
Commissioner, Corporate Services
City of Medicine Hat
403.529.8228
“We needed to support the community through these difficult times,” said Dennis Egert, Commissioner of Corporate Services. “Residents are facing undue hardship and financial stress, and many would not have been able to keep up with their utility bills or taxes.”
At the end of the 90-day payment deferral program, some customers may not be able to pay the accumulated and current charges. In these cases, customers may contact the Collections Department at collections@medicinehat.ca, or call 403.529.8113, to discuss available repayment options.
"Residents have a lot of options,” said Egert. “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.”
Regular collection activity will resume after the Utility Deferral Program ends on June 18, 2020. 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.
For more information on repayment options, visit the City's website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dennis Egert
Commissioner, Corporate Services
City of Medicine Hat
403.529.8228
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