

Lack of a comprehensive view on building a strong risk framework and no systematic actions, such as regular benchmarking against global best practices for minimizing customer delinquency and debt collection, are in place. Please email us at: risk framework and lack of credit-risk strategies. If you would like information about this content we will be happy to work with you. We strive to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to our website. This makes it difficult to establish clear ownership of credit risk throughout the customer life cycle and maintain an adequate supply of staff skilled in credit and risk management. Often, collections work is split between multiple departments or operating companies, resulting in fragmentation, a lack of scale, and inconsistencies in approach. Some utilities lack dedicated collections staff and instead allocate the work to generalist call-center agents, who may not have the right training to assess a client’s situation and offer the best settlement option. Many utilities have understaffed debt-collection teams and rely on external agencies to fill gaps.

For many, the problem is compounded by inefficient operating models, a lack of credit-risk strategies, limited availability of tools, and insufficient management focus. However, external forces are not the only reason why utilities struggle with bad debt.
FIND POWER UTILITY BY ADDRESS PROFESSIONAL
Public opinion and political pressure act as a further deterrent, and utility companies need to reconfirm to the public that their processes are fully compliant and adhere to the highest professional standards when it comes to debt collections. The focus on maintaining the best customer experience, together with service obligations and provisions such as long grace periods, protection for vulnerable groups, and winter moratoriums, makes it difficult to suspend the service even as a last resort.

FIND POWER UTILITY BY ADDRESS FULL
In liberalized retail markets, utilities bear full responsibility for debt collection, but their maneuvering room in recovering bad debt is limited by regulatory and political constraints. At the same time, liberalization and intensifying competition in many markets is resulting in higher levels of switching among customers, sometimes accompanied by bad debt when final bills go unpaid. The uncertainties arising from global shocks such as Brexit, trade wars, and a possible recession also pose risks for utilities. Recipients must also live in Hays, Caldwell, or Blanco Counties.Despite continuing economic growth and declining unemployment, household incomes in many Western economies have been squeezed, increasing the likelihood of delinquency and a rise in bad-debt charges. Priority for financial assistance is given to the lowest percentages of income levels, highest energy burdens, vulnerable individuals 60 years and over, persons with disabilities, families with children five years of age or younger, and veterans. Applications are available in both English and Spanish and may be completed online, emailed, or dropped off at their office at 215 S. Residents needing financial assistance may visit the Community Action website to complete applications due to COVID-19 related income loss or for other regular utility financial assistance not related to the pandemic.
