Danville Utilities reminds customers that an equal payment plan is available to assist them if their service has been disconnected for non-payment or if facing disconnection.
Carol Henley, service and billing customer account manager for the Division of Customer Accounts, said several hundred customers have opted for the plan since disconnections for delinquent residential and commercial accounts resumed on Monday.
“The equal payment plan is more lenient than in the past,” Henley said Thursday. “The change has allowed us to help many more customers. So far, it has worked out well.”
To qualify for the equal payment plan, customers no longer have to pay the full delinquent amount upfront.
Instead, the delinquent amount is factored into the equal pay calculation, which is determined by the customer’s bill history.
Henley said customers must have a minimum bill history of six months at their current location, and they must make the first payment the same day the payment plan takes effect.
City residents with COVID-19-related income loss can contact the Danville Department of Social Services to apply for assistance with past due utility accounts. Danville Utilities customers who reside in Pittsylvania, Halifax and Henry counties should contact their locality’s Department of Social Services to see if assistance is available there.
This assistance can be used as a pledge toward the first month’s payment.
To make arrangements for the payment plan, Henley said customers can come to the Charles H. Harris Financial Service Center or send an email to the customer accounts office at customerservice@danvilleva.gov. In the email, customers should include their account number, address and last four digits of their Social Security number.
Once the payment plan is in place, it must be followed. A missed payment may result in service being disconnected.
Due to a high call volume, Henley encouraged customers who have questions to contact the office by email.