What can I do if I receive a notice from Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative (BCREC) that says my electric service will be shut off because of a past due bill?

  • Pay the bill in full; or
  • Enter into a reasonable payment plan with BCREC (see * below); or
  • Apply for and become eligible for low-income energy assistance (see ** below); or
  • Give BCREC a written statement from a doctor or public health official stating that shutting off your electric service would pose an especial health danger for a person living at the residence (see *** below); or
  • Tell BCREC if you think part of the amount shown on the bill is wrong. However, you must still pay the part of the bill you agree you owe BCREC (see **** below).

*How do I go about making a reasonable payment plan? (Residential Members Only)

  • Contact BCREC as soon as you know you cannot pay the amount you owe. If you cannot pay all the money you owe at one time, BCREC shall offer you a payment plan that spreads payments evenly over at least twelve months. The plan may be longer depending on your financial situation.
  • If you have not made the payments you promised in a previous payment plan with BCREC and still owe money, you may qualify for a second payment agreement under certain conditions.
  • If you do not make the payments you promise, BCREC may shut off your utility service on one day's notice unless all the money you owe BCREC is paid or you enter into another payment agreement.

**How do I apply for low-income energy assistance? (Residential Members Only)

  • Applications are taken at your local community action agency. If you are unsure where to apply, dial 2-1-1 or 800-244-7431, or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap. To prevent disconnection you must contact the utility prior to disconnection of your service.
  • To avoid disconnection, you must apply for energy assistance before your service is shut off. Notify BCREC that you may be eligible and have applied for energy assistance. Once your service has been disconnected, it will not be reconnected based on approval of energy assistance.
  • Being certified eligible for energy assistance will prevent your service from being disconnected from November 1 through April 1.

***What if someone living at the residence has a serious health condition? (Residential Members Only)

Contact BCREC if you believe this is the case. Contact your doctor or public health official and ask the doctor or health official to contact BCREC and state that shutting off your utility service would pose an especial health danger for a person living at your residence. The doctor or public health official must provide a written statement to the BCREC office within five days of when your doctor or public health official notifies BCREC of the health condition; otherwise, your utility service may be shut off. If BCREC receives this written statement, your service will not be shut off for 30 days. This 30-day delay is to allow you time to arrange payment of your utility bill or find other living arrangements. After 30 days your service may be shut off if payment arrangements have not been made.

****What should I do if I believe my bill is not correct?

You may dispute your utility bill. You must tell BCREC that you dispute your bill. You must pay the part of the bill you think is correct. If you do this, BCREC will not shut off your service for 45 days from the date the bill was mailed while you and BCREC work out the dispute over the part of the bill you think is incorrect. You may ask the Iowa Utilities Commission for assistance in resolving the dispute (see ***** below).

When can BCREC shut off my utility service because I have not paid my bill?

  • BCREC can shut off service between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • BCREC will not shut off your service on nights, weekends, or holidays for nonpayment of a bill.
  • BCREC will not shut off your service if you enter into a reasonable payment plan to pay the over due amount (see *)
  • BCREC will not shut off your service if the temperature is forecasted to be 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder during the following 24-hour period, including the day your service is scheduled to be shut off.
  • If you have qualified for low-income energy assistance, BCREC cannot shut off your service from November 1 through April 1.
  • BCREC will not shut off your service if you have notified BCREC that you dispute a portion of your bill and you pay the part of the bill that you agree is correct.
  • If one of the heads of household is a service member deployed for military service, utility service cannot be shut off during the deployment or within 90 days after the end of the deployment. For this exception to disconnection to apply, BCREC must be informed of the deployment prior to disconnection. However, you will still owe BCREC for service during this time.

How will I be told BCREC is going to shut off my electric service?

  • You must be given a written notice at least 12 days before the utility service can be shut off for nonpayment. This notice will include the reason for shutting off your service.
  • If you have not made the payments required by an agreed-upon payment plan, your service may be disconnected with only one-day's notice.
  • BCREC must also try to reach you by telephone or in person before it shuts off your service. From November 1 through April 1, if BCREC cannot reach you by telephone or in person, BCREC will put a written notice on the door of, or another conspicuous place at, your residence to tell you that your utility service will be shut off.

If service is shut off, when will it be turned back on?

  • BCREC will turn your service back on if you pay your entire amount due.
  • If you make your payment during regular business hours, or by 7 p.m. for utilities permitting such payment or other arrangements after regular business hours, BCREC must make a reasonable effort to turn your service back on that day. If service cannot reasonably be turned on that same day, BCREC must do so by 11 a.m. the next day.
  • BCREC may charge you a fee to turn your service back on. Those fees may be higher in the evening or on weekends, so you may ask that your service be turned on during normal BCREC business hours.

*****Is there any other help available besides BCREC?

If BCREC has not been able to help you with your problem, you may contact the Iowa Utilities Commission toll free at 877-565-4450. You may also write the Iowa Utilities Commission at 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319 or by email at customer@iub.iowa.gov. Low-income consumers may also be eligible for free legal assistance from Iowa Legal Aid and may contact Legal Aid at 1-800-532-1275.

TO DISCUSS THIS WITH BUTLER COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, call 319-267-2726 or 888-267-2726 toll free. Phones are answered 24 hours a day. Any payment arrangements, however, must be made during office hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For payments, a night depository for payment drop is located on the southeast corner of the BCREC office in Allison, pay-by-phone at 855-918-3803, or online with Online Bill Pay .