Paying utility bills on time can be a challenge, especially during difficult financial times Many people have experienced being short on cash when the due date rolls around They stress about accumulating late fees or even having their service disconnected. Fortunately, Duke Energy offers their customers options for getting extra time to pay their bill. This article will explain the ways Duke Energy provides bill due date extensions and flexibility.
Duke Energy Due Date Extension Program
One of the most helpful programs Duke Energy provides is called the Due Date Extension program, It allows customers to move their bill due date back by up to 10 additional business days, This can provide much-needed extra time to get the money together to pay the bill in full
The Due Date Extension can be used twice per calendar year. So if you are facing a couple of particularly difficult months, you can get a 20-day extension in total on your bill due dates for the year. This can help avoid late fees, disconnection, and other headaches.
To request the Due Date Extension, you simply need to contact Duke Energy customer service before your current bill due date. You can call them or set it up online through your account. The representatives can then move your due date back per your request.
The program is available to all Duke Energy customers in good standing. You can’t be on an active payment plan or have bills that are past due. If you don’t owe any money on your account already, the Due Date Extension program lets you move your next due date back.
Request Specific Due Dates
Duke Energy offers a Due Date Extension twice a year, and customers can also ask for a specific due date for their next bill at any time. Say you know you’ll be out of town on the due date, you can call and ask them to move the due date to a few days after you get back.
This can help customers coordinate due dates with their paydays or other payment schedules. Rather than having your bill due on an inconvenient day, you can plan the due date around when you know you will have the money to pay.
To make a one-time due date request, simply contact Duke Energy customer service. Tell them exactly when you want your next bill to be due. As long as it is within reason, they will generally accommodate the request.
This option does not have a limit on usage like the Due Date Extension program. You can request specific due dates anytime you need some flexibility with your billing and due dates.
Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection
Using Duke Energy’s due date flexibility options can help customers avoid expensive late payment fees. Duke Energy charges a fee that is typically 5% of your monthly bill anytime your payment is late. On a $200 monthly bill, that equates to a $10 late fee.
The fees add up quickly if you are consistently paying late each month. And excessive late fees can eventually lead to Duke Energydisconnecting your service altogether. Using the Due Date Extension or one-time specific due date requests allows customers to push their due dates todays when they know they will have the money to pay. This avoids painful late fees and potential shutoffs.
Duke Energy makes it easy to check your account status and due dates online. Their website and mobile app provideaccount information and allows online payments 24/7. So customers can monitor their due dates and request extensions proactively before they run into issues. The programs provide a helpful financial cushion.
Paying Bills at Your Convenience
Between the annual Due Date Extensions and one-time specific due date adjustments, Duke Energy provides their customers with helpful flexibility. Their programs make it convenient to adjust your due dates to match up with your own financial schedules and cash flow.
Rather than sticking to a rigid billing cycle, you can work with Duke Energy to find a due date that fits your unique situation. Whether you need to delay the due date for a couple weeks or want to line it up with a certain day of the month, Duke Energy representatives can assist you.
This can greatly reduce the stress of trying to scrounge up the money to pay your bill by the printed due date. It empowers customers to take control of their billing and due dates. Avoiding late fees improves customers’ financial position too.
How to Request a Due Date Change
Requesting an adjusted due date from Duke Energy is quick and easy:
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Call Duke Energy customer service at 1-800-777-9898. Their representatives are available 24/7.
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Log in to your account online at www.duke-energy.com and use the chat function to connect with a rep.
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Use the Duke Energy mobile app, which allows you to request due date changes right from your smartphone.
The representative will just need your account information and the new due date you are requesting. As long as you are eligible based on your account status and past extensions, they can process your due date change immediately during the call/chat.
Eligibility Requirements
While Duke Energy does provide flexibility with bill due dates, there are a few requirements to take advantage of the programs:
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You cannot currently be on a multi-month installment plan for past due balances. Due date extensions are for current bills only.
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Your account must be in good standing with no past due balance already existing. Extensions only apply to your next upcoming bill.
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For the Due Date Extension program, you are limited to 2 extensions per calendar year. One-time specific due date requests have no usage limit.
As long as you meet those few requirements, Duke Energy will work with customers to find a bill due date that fits their financial needs. This prevents the stress of scrambling to pay a bill that comes at an inconvenient time.
Peace of Mind During Hard Times
Utility bills are a necessary expense, but paying them is not always easy. When your budget is already stretched thin, an poorly timed electricity or gas bill can force you into a painful late payment fee. Duke Energy’s due date programs provide a great option to avoid this.
Whether you opt to use one of your yearly Due Date Extensions or just need to line up your next specific due date with your pay schedule, Duke Energy can accommodate you. Having the flexibility takes a lot of financial pressure and stress off their customers.
During difficult times, it provides peace of mind knowing you can call Duke Energy and get some extra breathing room. The additional days help ensure you can get the full payment together by the new extended due date, avoiding alllate fees. Duke Energy empowers customers with options to pay their bills conveniently and avoid financial hardship.
Our customer commitment through the changes ahead.
At the start of the pandemic, we launched a sweeping series of steps to help, including suspending disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late payment fees as well as fees for credit and debit card payments. We also made changes within our field operations to help ensure the safety for both employees and the communities we serve.
Now, as we move to resume standard billing and payment practices, we remain committed to providing customer assistance to our business and residential customers still experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19. As we have notified customers, we will continue to suspend disconnections for nonpayment until Sept. 1.
WAYS WE’RE HELPING CUSTOMERS IN NEED
▪ Duke Energy donated more than $6.3 million for COVID-19 relief efforts across all the states we serve.
▪ More flexible payment arrangements have been available since April, offering extended repayment timelines up to six months.
▪ For customers currently behind on their bills, Duke Energy is proactively offering extended payment plans via email and text/SMS.
▪ We have developed an online request form for customers to set up extended payment plans on their own. Customers who are delinquent on their bill now have the option to request an extended payment arrangement easily without the need to call the customer service center. They can simply visit one of the following webpages and enter their phone number or account number to get started:
▪ Customers with more complex needs can speak with a customer care representative Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 800-700-8477 (Residential) or 877-372-8477 (Business)
▪ Professional guidance is being offered for small business customers to help analyze their energy usage, discuss energy rates and identify solutions to help lower their energy bills at [email protected].
▪ We are continuing to waive credit and debit card payment fees as well as walk-in payment fees for residential customers until November 2020.
▪ We’re giving customers the freedom to choose a consistent monthly payment date that best fits their needs.
▪ Duke Energy is providing access to assistance agencies and third-party charities that can help with utility payments and other essential needs.
We are working closely with agencies in possession of CARES Act funds, LIHEAP dollars and other donation sources. Our goal is to help match qualifying residential and business customers with agencies that can help with payment.
For counties where agency connections are a challenge, we are guiding customers to 211.org. This free service helps connect customers to local community agencies supplying aid for a wide range of needs, including help with energy bills.
BE AWARE OF SCAMMERS UTILIZING NEW TACTICS
During the pandemic, we’ve seen a surge in fraudulent actions that attempt to trick customers into providing personal or financial information. The latest scams promise refund checks for overpayment on customer accounts if customers confirm personal data, such as a birthdate, Social Security number or federal tax ID.
Scammers have many methods for reaching customers. They may show up at a customer’s home or business, send email or call. Here are a few facts and tips to help protect our customers and communities:
▪ Though Duke Energy will frequently contact our customers by phone, email and text, we will never ask for personal information over the phone or demand immediate payment using prepaid credit or debit cards.
▪ If a customer is unsure whether a call or in-person visit is valid, we highly encourage them to hang up or refuse service and contact our customer care center at 800.700.8744.
▪ Duke Energy will not specify how customers should make a bill payment and will always offer a variety of ways to pay, including accepting payments online, by phone, by mail or in person. If the caller demands immediate compensation by prepaid debit or credit card, do not submit payment.
Paying your Duke Energy bill amid website interruptions| 2 Wants to Know
FAQ
How do I extend my due date for Duke Energy?
How long does it take Duke to process payments?
How does Duke even billing work?
Why is the Duke Energy bill so high?
How do I pay my Duke Energy Bill?
If you have a smart meter, you can choose the date your bill is due. Make managing your budget easier with predictable monthly payments. Prepay for your power in smaller amounts when and how you choose. Sign in or pay your Duke Energy bill as a guest using credit card, debit card or bank account.
Does Duke Energy offer flexible payment arrangements?
Duke Energy offers a variety of flexible payment arrangements and programs to help customers manage their bills. Duke Energy’s Budget Billing lets customers pay a predictable amount every month to better manage their budget. The amount is periodically reviewed and adjusted to avoid large settle-ups. Learn more about Budget Billing here.
How do I use my Duke Energy app?
You can use your Duke Energy app to set up payments, view your billing history and much more. It’s available for download on the App Store and Google Play, or you can text us at 578-02 for a download link. With Paperless Billing, the options are yours. Sign in to view your bill or receive a secure PDF each month.
How do I download Duke Energy?
“It’s clear and user friendly.” To download, search “Duke Energy” in the Apple or Android app stores. The app is available to residential and small business customers in all jurisdictions who are eligible to create an online profile. Here’s a short video highlighting the app’s features.