13 On Your Side: Keep your heat from being shut off MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - With Michigan's economy in very bad shape, it's hard for many to earn a living and pay their bills. WZZM 13 learned about a woman in Muskegon who got behind on her Consumers Energy bill and how that affected caring for her 76 year-old mother. "They ended up cutting my wages or my hours by a third, bringing my income down to roughly $400 a month, which makes it very hard to pay your bills," said Juli Nash of Muskegon. Since Juli Nash started caring for her mother full time, paying the bills has not been easy. "The situation actually started back in like May," she said. "I just ... stressed out dealing with one thing after the other and I just let it go." Nash's Consumers Energy account balance soared to more than $2,000. Then after putting off the payment, the company shut off the power. "If it had just been me and my husband that would be one thing, but I've got my mom to worry about. She's on oxygen every night with a 'c-pap'," Nash said. "This is not something to play around with." After about a week, the family got some help, worked out a payment arrangement and had the power turned back on. Consumers Energy says the situation could have been avoided with a phone call. "We need to know if you're 65 years and older. We need to know if you have medical conditions," said Tim Pietryga, a Consumers Energy spokesman. "We need to know if you're going to have a problem making your payment. If you don't tell us, we can't help you." A lesson Nash says she has definitely learned. "Don't procrastinate. Get to somebody on the phone. Consumers (Energy) will probably talk to them before they're shut off. I waited too long." Consumers Energy says if you ever anticipate any billing issues, call them as soon as possible at (800) 477-5050. DTE also has a contact if you are having problems paying your bill: 1-800-477-4747.
11/5/2009 10:28:21 AM
