Utilities? please help

[drummer1]

We never added out heat,electric, cable etc...in our bk....Our 341 was a few weeks ago, is it to late to amend something and add those? we realize now that we are way behind on those and cant catch up. If we can add those will the elec, and heat stay on? thanks for the help

[BassBoy]

I would presume that either the utilitites may be disconnected if you add the balance or you would have to put down a large deposit to keep them on after you added the balance.

Utility companies can be very easy to work with, so it may be better if you call them and set-up a repayment plan. I think some may offer hardship workouts as well.

[HHM]

You can amend to add them, but depending on how much you are behind, doing so may be a wash...as BassBloy pointed, they may require you to pay a deposit in order to keep the service activated.

[alwaysmordrbils]

You can amend to include the utility bills. Before doing that, find out how much of a deposit that each utility company will want to see if it's even worthwhile. Some will have a deposit = to 1 month utility bill, others have a set deposit. Some will allow the deposit to be split between a couple of months. Your safest bet is to just call and see what works best for you

This info is based on personal experience..I'm NOT an attorney

[WantToBeDebtFre]

If your low income go down to Department of Human Services (or whatever it's called in your state). My husband works for them here in Michigan and they will pay for the bill if you're having a hardship and can't afford to pay.

[HeatherB]

Okay, here's my utility story. After I filed bk 13, my (then fiance) and I split up. I was by myself with one child paying $800 to my plan. This left me with about $400 dollars left. Well, considering that my childcare was for $200.... you get the pic. I got behind on my utilities and was told that since I'm a singe mom, I should apply for heating and power assistance. I went to the office to inquire and the lady at the window says, "do you have any kids?" I told her I had one. Then she asked if I had a "final notice prior to disconnect". I told her that I didn't because I had just borrowed some money to pay 10% of my bill so they wouldn't shut me off. She told me NOT to pay ANYTHING and wait. When the final notice came in, then go to the assistance place on a Tuesday (which was the only day they accepted applications).

Stupid me, didn't pay the bill. I used the money from my check for food, diapers, gas, etc. Showed up a month later with the bill and was told I didn't qualify. So, now my bill was DOUBLE what it originally was. They told me that since I owned (financed) my own house, that money was considered extra income. As I said in a previous post, the lady was snickering at me and insisted that her friend look at the screen.

It eventually got to the point where the elect. co. told me that they would shut me off if not paid in full. So, I ended up taking the money that was supposed to be sent for my chapter 13 plan to the elect. company. Then I was behind on my chapter 13 plan. Well, I paid utilities until I knew they couldn't shut me off (due to cold weather rules). Then instead of paying my utilites I caught up on my chapter 13 plans. Back and forth until I couldn't take it anymore.

I ended up filing chapter 7 in the end. I put my utilites in a close friend's name. Added the utilites to my plan. I called the utility company a few weeks ago to make sure that it showed I filed bankruptcy. Then asked what I would have to do if I needed to get utilites in my name again. I was told that I would have to pay a deposit (equal to the average amount of the new place) However, I made sure I was prepared to pay double.

So, that's my experience. LOL Not sure if it really helped you as each company may have a different policy. I do know that I've heard a utility company cannot deny you service (just charge extra) because it is considered a neccessity to have electricity. OTOH, cable, phone, internet, etc do not have to ever provide to you again.

Good luck!

[SinkingFast]

We were at about 6 months of No Payments when we moved where we live now.

We passed one Credit Check. The gas company. No deposit.

We failed the Elec Co credit check. They had us pay 2 months in advance for service.

As others have said, you've got to weigh what you owe against what you'd pay, up front, in deposit.

Also,.......... It's getting into Winter months now. Do you live where there's a "No Shut Off" rule during cold weather months?? That might buy you some time to bring your accts current.