Duke Energy programs available to help manage energy bills

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today reiterated that help managing energy bills is available for any customer who may be experiencing financial hardship, including workers affected by the federal government shutdown, which is moving into its third week.

"While the government shutdown is a very visible issue now, we recognize that unforeseen hardships can happen to anyone at any time," said Lesley Quick, Duke Energy's vice president of revenue services. "To assist our customers who are having difficulties paying their bills, we have long offered programs and assistance agencies to help.

Billing / Payment Assistance Programs

For customers who are unable to commit to specific dates for payments, Duke Energy partners with local assistance agencies across our service areas, who distribute funds to individuals in need. Each state has specific programs and eligibility requirements. See the links below for what's available in each state:

• Duke Energy Carolinas - North Carolina
• Helping Home Fund: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/helping-home-fund
• Share the Warmth: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/share-the-warmth
• Moratorium: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/moratorium
• Partnership Agencies: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/low-income-programs
• Moratorium: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/moratorium
• Duke Energy Carolinas ? South Carolina
• Share the Warmth: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/share-the-warmth
• Moratorium: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/moratorium
• Partnership Agencies: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/low-income-programs
• Duke Energy Progress ? North Carolina
• Energy Neighbor Fund: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/energy-neighbor-fund
• Preference Pay: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/preference-pay
• Partnership Agencies: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/energy-neighbor-fund/energy-assistance-resourcesdep
• Moratorium: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/moratorium
• Duke Energy Progress ? South Carolina
• Energy Neighbor Fund: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/energy-neighbor-fund
• Preference Pay: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/preference-pay
• Partnership Agencies: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/energy-neighbor-fund/energy-assistance-resourcesdep
• Moratorium: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/moratorium

Budget Billing / Equal Payment Plans

Customers who have more than 12-months of usage history at their current residence may qualify for one of our billing and payment plans that gives customers the option of levelized monthly payments.

These billing plans are ideal for customers who are unable to pay a large bill now, but can afford to pay the average amount. Please visit the link below to enroll and learn more.

• DEC: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/equal-payment-plan
• DEP: https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/equal-payment-plan

Deferred Payments

In the event a customer is unable to pay a past due bill, Duke Energy's customer service specialists are available to discuss a customer's situation and provide assistance to meet the customer's specific needs.

Residential Customer Service Specialists are available Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST in North Carolina and South Carolina. Contact information is below:

• Duke Energy Carolinas (NC and SC) = 800.777.9898
• Duke Energy Progress (NC and SC) = 800.452.2777

About Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials.

Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

24-Hour Media Line: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy