CREDIT POLICY
This credit policy summary is published to inform you of the terms and conditions of sale and to help you protect your credit rating. It also is intended to reduce the risk of bill nonpayment, which results in higher costs for all customers.
Deposits and Service Fees
New customers may be required to provide a security deposit when applying for service. Security deposits help protect paying customers from the burden of the few who attempt to leave without paying their bills. The deposit amount is equal to the highest bill in the last 12 months for that location. A security deposit will not be required if you have previously established a good payment history with ILP, or another electric utility. A customer who has paid their utility bill on time (no more than one late payment) for the past twelve months establishes a good payment history. Your deposit is credited to your account after you have made 12 consecutive months of timely payments—no more than one late payment.
If you are moving from another utility, please request a credit letter from your previous utility and have it mailed or faxed (319-332-0101) directly to the Billing Department at Independence Light and Power prior to requesting service, or bring your credit letter with you.
If you discontinue utility service before your deposit is credited or refunded, the deposit will be applied to your final bill and any remainder will be refunded.
Terms of Payment
Bills mailed on the 15th of the month are due on the 8th of the following month. Bills mailed on the 30th of the month are due on the 22nd of the following month. The due date is printed on the bill. Payments can be made to Independence Light and Power by mail, drop box, Automated Clearing House payment, or in person at office building. We may suspend service due to nonpayment of bills for utility service, deposits and other charges.
Late Payment Fee (Penalty)
A late payment fee (penalty) will be assessed on bills when payment is not received by the due date. Customers are allowed one late payment per year without a penalty being assessed. A charge of one and one-half percent (1.5%) will be added to any amount owed for electricity and water charges after the due date noted on the bill. A charge of four dollars ($4.00) will be added if any telecommunications charges are shown owed after the due date noted on the bill.
Non-Paying Accounts
Independence Light and Power requires additional security deposits on non-paying accounts. If you are required to pay your utility bills in cash due to returned checks, or if your service has been discontinued for non-payment of past due bills, or if collection action is needed to effect payment, you may be required to pay an additional security deposit.
Dispute Procedures
You may dispute a bill that you feel is in error by calling or writing Independence Light and Power. We will investigate all disputes. We will not disconnect a service for non-payment of a disputed bill provided: (1) you notify us before the bill is delinquent and (2) you pay all other undisputed charges when due.
Appeal Procedures
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of a dispute, you may ask for a special review by the Iowa Utilities Board, 350 Maple Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0069.
Restoring Service
To restore service disconnected for non-payment, you will be required to pay the entire balance due (your account to zero) plus a reconnection fee. An additional deposit may be required. This must be done before 3:30 pm to insure power is reconnected that day.
Request for Service
A 24-hour advance notification is required for all service requests. Independence Light and Power will attempt to respond to all requests for service in as timely a manner as possible.
|
