COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Paying your bills on time can be difficult for some, but no matter what, being late on gas or electric bills could mean a disconnection of service.
Christina Adelman has found herself in the middle of a financial hardship, NBC 4's Matt Alvarez reported.
"I was laid off a couple months ago, had a hard time paying bills, some money coming in, I didn't pay Columbia Gas for a couple months because I didn't have the money to do it," Adelman said.
Adelman got on the phone to ask a company representative if she could pay them on April 4 when she had enough funds, but she was turned down.
Friday was the day Adelman said she was told by Columbia Gas that her service would be terminated, leaving her without heat and hot water.
With that in mind, Adelman said she borrowed money from her mother to pay the bill.
But according to Ken Stammen with Columbia Gas, situations should never reach that point.
Stammen said there are things you need to do if you're suddenly laid off or are having trouble paying your bills.
First, customers should contact Columbia Gas immediately and share the situation with them. They can work with customers for payment options.
Second, don't ignore bills and termination notices.
Third, customers can pay $175 during winter months without fear that their gas will be shut off, but the moratorium ends on April 15.
After April 15, customers still have options. Columbia Gas has set up an emergency assistance fund. Customers can call the company to see if they qualify.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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