Mark Connors of Saint-Philippe says he was shocked to open his power bill after he took over the bills from his wife following a divorce last year.
“I am not trying to not pay by bills, I am just trying to find a way to pay my bills,” Connors said.
He says he is trying to negotiate with NB Power to set up a payment plan to pay off the near $4,600 bill.
READ MORE: New Brunswickers looking to alternative energy to battle rising energy costs
“I will give them post dated checks I offered. I offered just about everything a man can offer other than selling the dog and the truck.”
Connors says his only source of income is a $860 disability check every month. He says he wants to be responsible and pay his bill, but he just needs more time. However, he says if he doesn’t come up with $2,300 by next week his power will be shut off.
“Disconnection is an absolute last resort, taken only when all other avenues have been exhausted. Any customer who has trouble keeping up is advised to call our contact centre, where agents have the flexibility to make payment arrangements based on individual circumstances,” NB Power representative Meghan Gerrish said in an email to Global News.
“There are a variety of ways that NB Power can help customers who are having trouble paying their bills including payment arrangements, and referring customers to agencies that can help.”
Payment assistance program exists
New Brunswick does have a home energy assistance program for low income families offering up a one time payment of $100 to help with power bills.
Just over 44,000 families qualified for the program last year totaling about $4.5 million in subsidies.
Jason Surette from the non-profit group Big Hearts Small City says that isn’t enough. He says in the last week alone he’s reached out to provide financial help to three New Brunswick families living in poverty pay their power bills.
“It is definitely a problem in New Brunswick for people living in poverty situations, the power bills and things like that become a mountain for people to overcome,” Surette said.
With another power hike expected this summer he’s worried it’s only going to get worse and he says the organization is starting to run out of funds.
“The Fredericton man that we helped last week his bill was $2,000, the woman yesterday with the five kids, her bill was $3,600.”
NB Power says its saw a decline in the number customers unable to pay their bills this past winter. The utility says it will continue to work hard to maintain contact with customers with whom it has made payment arrangements.
Meanwhile, Connors says more flexible options are needed for people living in poverty whose bills have gotten out of control.
“It kinda hard to dig out of a hole when you are so far down,” Connors said.
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