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Customer Assistance Programs

Credit Extension Agreement
This program provides eligible customers additional time to pay an arrears balance in a non-emergency situation. Cleco reserves the right to deny a credit extension agreement under circumstances in which it feels an agreement would be imprudent.

Levelized Billing Plan
Levelized billing is a payment plan based on a 12-month average of your electric utility bills. Your bill is based on the monthly average of your bills for the previous 12 months.

Each month the average is calculated. This average is always rounded to the next whole dollar amount. An adjustment is made to the average bill amount each month to avoid overpayment or underpayment on your account. The plan is an easy way to balance your electric bills. Instead of fluctuating bills, you can expect to pay about the same bill each month.

To sign up for this service, you must have a zero account balance and be a customer in good standing. Call our 24-hour customer service line at 1-800-622-6537 or visit one of our customer service offices to enroll.

Energy Emergency Deferred Billing Program (EEDBP)
The Louisiana Public Service Commission declares an energy emergency, eligible Cleco customers may defer a portion of their bill. Cleco developed this program under the guidelines of Legislative Act 629 of 2001, and Louisiana Public Service Commission Order No. R-26038. The deferral can be paid over a period of up to 12 months, depending on the amount. The amount deferred would be the amount in excess of a customer's previous year's Cleco bill for the period of time specified in the declared emergency. For example, if the declared emergency was for the month of November, the example below shows what could be deferred.

$160.00 Current November bill
$100.00 Pay now (last year's November bill)
$60.00 Amount that can be deferred

To be eligible, last year's bill must be at least $40.00 lower than the bill for the specified period of time deemed an emergency. Generally, you would be responsible for paying the amount paid last November, or $100.00, on the regular due date. The $60.00 can be deferred and paid in installments over some period of time (see below).

Amounts and periods of maximum deferral are:

$40.00 - $75.00 may be deferred over a period of 1-3 months
$75.01 - $150.00 may be deferred over a period of 1-6 months
$150.00 and above may be deferred over a period of 1-12 months

Eligible customers
Those whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level as established by the federal government and are 65 years of age or older
Those who receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Those whose sole income consists of Social Security payments
Vital government entities designated by the LPSC as providers of services essential to public health, safety and welfare
Persons certified by a physician as needing life-sustaining, electrically operated equipment, or life-sustaining medical treatment that requires electricity.

Application process
Those wishing to enroll in the program should bring a Cleco bill, along with proof that establishes them as a member of one of the eligible groups, to one of the community action agencies listed below. Customers will be asked to fill out some paperwork, and eligibility will be verified by the agency and forwarded to Cleco. Those currently certified as Cleco critical care customers will only need to sign some paperwork to initiate participation in the program. Paperwork for critical care customers can be sent by mail at the customer's request.

Customers will have to re-certify every two years to remain eligible.

Note: Those currently enrolled in Cleco's Levelized Billing Program will receive no benefit from enrolling in the EEDBP as their energy bills are already levelized over a 12-month period.

The Gatekeeper Program
Cleco employees are gatekeepers. They watch for signs that indicate an elderly or disable person may be in need of assistance.

Critical Care Alert Program
The Critical Care Alter Program identifies customers with medical conditions where loss of electricity would be detrimental to their well being and health. A critical care customer registration form must be completed and signed by a physician. Call 1-800-622-6537 or visit a local customer service office for a registration form.

The Power of Sharing Fund
If you would like to help those who struggle to pay their energy bills, Cleco offers the Power of Sharing Fund. This fund, formerly called the Energy Fund, has been in effect since 1985 to assist economically disadvantaged seniors and disabled citizens. Monies collected through the fund are used to assist with energy bills, purchase fans and blankets, weatherize homes, and make minor repairs to heating and cooling units.

Cleco customers and employees contribute to the fund, and Cleco provides matching donations. Assistance provided by the fund is distributed through the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging. To find out if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance, contact your local Council on Aging. You may choose an option on your bill to contribute $1, $2, or $5 to the Power of Sharing Fund.

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