The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has announced plans to give discounts to approximately 350,000 residential customers following the far-reaching impact of the recent category 4 Hurricane Beryl.
It is one of the plans under the light and power company’s JPS Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme, which was announced on Tuesday.
The company said it will be giving a 20 per cent discount off the bills of customers who use 150 kWh of electricity or less for the month.
“This discount will be applied to current charges and will be reflected on bills that customers will start receiving in August. Active prepaid residential customers will get a one-off $1,500 top-up electricity credit on their accounts,” JPS said in a release.
Damian Obiglio, JPS chairman and acting President & CEO, said:
“We regret the recent billing experience of our customers, based on the fact that we had very little choice but to issue estimated bills to some customers following the disruption of our operations by the hurricane.
“The fact is, JPS is mandated to issue bills to its customers for 30-day period. We used the standard methodology established by the OUR to calculate estimated bills,” he said.
Obligio is referring to customers being advised last week that their electricity bills for the June – July period may be estimated because of the impact of Hurricane Beryl on its operations.
He added that in light of the likely impact on customers, JPS has subsequently submitted a proposal to the Office of Utilities Regulation requesting a review of the mechanism for calculating estimated bills, specifically for customers impacted by extended outages as a result of Hurricane Beryl.
“The objective is to minimise the impact on persons who could end up being worst off as a result of being estimated using the regulatory prescribed methodology,” Obiglio explained.
In addition to discounts to approximately 350,000 residential customers, JPS said it has relaxed its collections and disconnection processes.
The company said it has not disconnected customers for non-payment of bills since the passage of the hurricane, and will continue to suspend disconnections up to August 15.
JPS said it will also continue to facilitate flexible payment arrangements for those who need extensions on their due dates.
“Requests are being dealt with on a case by case basis, so persons requiring extensions can make their request using the myJPS mobile app or by contacting the JPS Customer Care Centre,” the company said. JPS Foundation has also been leading community outreach activities to support customers in the hard-hit parishes with their post-hurricane recovery.
So far, the Foundation and JPS Volunteers On Location To Serve (VOLTS), have provided care packages to 200 families in the communities of Flagaman, Bull Savannah, Malvern, and Parottee.
JPS said it will also be providing support specifically for the elderly and disabled as well as back-to-school assistance for persons in some communities. These visits will include the distribution of food supplies, tarpaulins, ice and provision of charging stations, it added.
JPS teams have also been visiting communities to speak with residents about the restoration process while hearing from them what their needs are at this time. So far, they’ve visited St Mary, Clarendon, Manchester, and St Elizabeth.
The company said teams will later this week be in Hanover, Westmoreland and some St Elizabeth communities.
