Can I get extended time to pay if someone in my home is seriously ill?

The tariff provides special protections for households with vulnerable residents, recognizing that disconnecting water service could pose serious health risks.

Who qualifies for extension:

Your residence must be occupied by a person who is:

• Seriously ill
• Elderly
• Handicapped
• Dependent on life-support systems

Extension available:

• Additional 30 days to correct payment delinquency
• On top of normal notice periods
• Gives you extra time to arrange payment
• Applies specifically to payment delinquencies

Two timing scenarios:

1. Before discontinuance notice issued: If utility determines conditions qualify before issuing disconnection notice:

• Utility extends discontinuance day by 30 days
• Added to normal timeline
• Gives you time to address financial situation

2. After discontinuance notice issued: If utility is notified AFTER discontinuance notice already sent:

• Utility extends discontinuance day by 15 days
• Less time than pre-notice extension
• Still provides crucial extra time
• Better to notify utility early

How to request extension:

1. Notify the utility:

• Call as soon as you know you can’t pay: (907) 222-4084
• Explain the medical/special circumstances
• Don’t wait until disconnection notice arrives

2. Provide information about:

• Who in household qualifies (seriously ill, elderly, handicapped, life support)
• Nature of the condition (may need documentation)
• Why disconnection would be particularly harmful
• Your plan for eventually paying

3. Documentation may be required:

• Doctor’s note for serious illness
• Evidence of life-support equipment
• Proof of age for elderly status
• Disability documentation

What the extension provides:

• Time to arrange payment, not forgiveness of debt
• Opportunity to apply for assistance programs
• Chance to arrange payment plan
• Time to find financial resources
• Prevents immediate health crisis

What you must still do:

• Eventually pay the full amount owed
• Work with utility to establish payment plan
• Keep communication open
• Make good faith effort to resolve debt
• Extension is not permanent solution

After the extension period:

• Must have paid or arranged satisfactory payment plan
• If no arrangement made, disconnection may proceed
• Additional extensions not automatic
• Utility manager has discretion for extenuating circumstances

Important notes:

• Extension applies to payment delinquency specifically
• Other causes of disconnection (unsafe facilities, fraud) may not qualify
• Extension doesn’t eliminate the debt
• Good faith effort to pay still required
• Multiple extensions require special approval

Resources to explore during extension:

• State/local assistance programs
• Utility payment assistance programs
• Charity organizations (churches, nonprofits)
• Family support
• Social services agencies
• Healthcare social workers

Landlord/tenant situations: If tenant qualifies but landlord is account holder:

• Tenant should inform landlord
• Landlord should notify utility
• Both tenant and landlord receive disconnection notices
• Extension may protect tenant even if landlord doesn’t pay

Tariff Reference: Section W-025-E, Section W-025-G-2-b, Section W-010-A-1