Sheltering at Home Can Increase Energy Bills; Here’s How to Get Help

Even with low electric rates, if usage is high your bill may be, too

JACKSON, Mississippi – With schools closed and many workers temporarily unemployed or telecommuting due to the coronavirus pandemic, many families have a full house during times the home would normally be empty. The result is often an increased demand for energy to fuel daily lives, and that can quickly lead to a higher-than-normal energy bill.

The best way to manage this increase in energy use is to follow simple energy-saving tips, like wrapping your water heater; regularly replacing HVAC filters and insulating doors and windows. But if a high bill has already arrived, there are ways you can get help managing your costs or even paying your bill. Effective March 15, Entergy Mississippi, working with its regulators, has temporarily suspended service disconnections through May 14, subject to the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s review after 30 days.

However, Entergy encourages customers to make payments on their account if possible, and will work directly with customers to make payment arrangements if they are unable to pay in full. Customers requiring such arrangements should call 1-800-ENTERGY (800-368-3749) or visit myAccount.

Here are four more ways to manage through the higher costs of powering your home:

• Level Billing --Entergy averages your bill over a rolling 12-month period so you have a consistent bill each month of the year. Pay about the same every month, with no surprises. 
• Pick-A-Date --Choose what day of the month you get billed to line up with your budget and manage your cash flow.
• Power to Care--Through Entergy's The Power to Care program, local nonprofit agencies can provide emergency bill payment assistance to seniors and disabled individuals in crisis. Find out more at entergy-mississippi.com/bill-help/.
• LIHEAP--LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a program that provides money to help people with energy bills and other energy-related expenses. LIHEAP is funded through the federal government and works with community action agencies to help customers pay for and keep electric service in their homes. For information on how to apply for assistance, call 1-800-421-0762 or visit the state Division of Community Services Web site.

If you think you’re going to need help with your power bill, don’t delay. Call Entergy’s customer service representatives at 1-800-Entergy (1-800-368-3749) to see what solution might be right for you.

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 450,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and approximately 13,500 employees.