FirstEnergy is urging customers to reach out to the company if they are experiencing financial hardship, as disconnections will resume in early October.

“We realize many customers are not back to work. … We don’t want them to face a disconnecet because they avoided” contacting the company, said Lauren Siburkis, spokeswoman for FirstEnergy.

In March, disconnections were temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now as people go back to work, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has given FirstEnergy permission to begin the shutoffs next month.

Although PUCO said on Wednesday that pre-COVID operations can begin next month, Siburkis emphasizes that customers should contact the company sooner rather than later to seek payment plan options.

“We do realize there are still customers out there struggling to make ends meet and are unable to pay their bill,” she said.

However, she urges customers to make the call sooner rather than later, stating that what is available as payment options now may not be available in October.

“Now is the time to seek help from us,” she said.

Various programs may be available, including: The Percentage of Income Payment Plan; Ohio Fuel Fund; Home Energy Assistance Program; and Emergency Hardship Funds.

Customers can also call 211, a nationwide information hotline that helps identify local programs associated with utility bills or other needs.