SHREVEPORT, La. (August 16, 2022) – Southwestern Electric Power Co. announced today new measures to help residential customers facing high bills due to increased demand and rising fuel costs.

All SWEPCO residential customers can get their late fees waived and take advantage of an extended payment plan that gives them up to 12 months to pay their bill in full. In some cases, deposits can also be waived. These are similar programs offered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We understand customers are concerned about the rising cost of electricity across our region as we have experienced record-breaking heat this summer coupled with rising fuel costs,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and Chief Operating Officer. “We want to give customers every opportunity to keep their electric service connected at home. These new measures will allow customers the ability to continue paying toward their electric bill while giving them peace of mind knowing they will remain connected to their service.”

Residential customers wishing to get late fees and deposits waived must call 1-888-216-3523 to speak with a SWEPCO representative who can also help set them up on an extended payment plan. 

Customers should be aware that SWEPCO is experiencing ongoing high call volumes. Customers who are current on their account can choose to make payment arrangements online by logging in at SWEPCO.com/Assist or over the phone by using our automated feature when calling 1-888-216-3523.

These flexible options will be available to residential customers through Oct. 31, 2022.

Average Monthly Payment plan

Customers who are current on their bill can also sign up for our Average Monthly Payment plan, which can help spread the costs throughout the year, avoiding seasonal spikes. To sign up, visit SWEPCO.com/AMP.

Help a neighbor in need

Our Neighbor to Neighbor program offers customers who can lend a helping hand the opportunity to give to those who are experiencing financial hardships. Administered through the Dollar Energy Fund, customers can make a monthly donation of any amount on their monthly bill, providing eligible customers with a utility assistance grant directly to their own bill. To sign up, customers can visit our Neighbor to Neighbor Donation page.

Customers can also give directly to a family member, friend or neighbor in need through the Lighting Utility Voucher (LUV) program. The credit can be applied directly to the recipient’s account. Customers can visit SWEPCO.com/LUV to download the form and mail in their contribution using a check or money order.

About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)

SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 543,000 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.

About American Electric Power (AEP)

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieve net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.