CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With returning cold temperatures and potential negative impacts from the ongoing federal government shutdown, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding its customers and communities of programs for people who need assistance paying their energy bills.
“Higher energy bills this time of year can make financial hardships even more stressful for individuals and families who already struggle to make ends meet,” said Barbara Ashford, director of community relations for Piedmont Natural Gas. “And now with some federal government workers facing uncertainty about when to expect their next paycheck, temporary assistance could be just a phone call away.
“Piedmont Natural Gas customers can take advantage of our Equal Payment Plan or may even be eligible for a temporary payment arrangement. Others who need help paying their energy bills, including people who are not Piedmont customers, may qualify for temporary assistance from our Share the Warmth program.”
Share the Warmth Roundup
Since 2003, Piedmont Natural Gas, its customers and the Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation have donated nearly $3.5 million to Share the Warmth – an energy assistance program that helps individuals and families pay their monthly energy bills. People in need do not have to use natural gas or even be a Piedmont Natural Gas customer to qualify for assistance.
Share the Warmth funds are distributed through Piedmont’s partner agencies, which are listed below. Call or visit the appropriate agency to inquire about eligibility:
North Carolina
Crisis Assistance Ministry (Mecklenburg County)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (all other North Carolina counties)
South Carolina
South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties)
Tennessee
Metro Action Commission (Davidson County)
Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency (Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties)
Highland Rim Economic Corporation (Dickson County)
Equal Payment Plan (EPP)
Piedmont’s Equal Payment Plan helps eligible customers manage their energy costs by allowing them to pay an estimated, equal monthly bill amount. Piedmont estimates a customer’s total annual natural gas usage and then spreads the payments as evenly as possible across a specific period of time. Since EPP customers know what their bill amount will be each month, they avoid receiving unexpected higher bills during colder months when natural gas usage is greater.
To learn more or to enroll, visit:
Equal Payment Plan (http://www.piedmontng.com/youraccount/onlineservices/eppfaq.aspx)
Payment Arrangements
For customers having trouble paying their Piedmont Natural Gas bill, customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time to review accounts and discuss options that may include a payment arrangement.
For more information or to see if they qualify for a payment arrangement, customers should contact Piedmont’s customer service department via either method below:
Call: 800.752.7504
Email: customerselfservice@duke-energy.com
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