Kentucky utility companies are offering assistance to federal workers impacted by the government shutdown.
West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative and WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative are offering to postpone bill payments for furloughed workers until they receive back pay.
The cooperatives said in a press release impacted customers need to present their federal employee ID at a cooperative office. The program runs through the end of the shutdown.
From Lexington, Kentucky Utilities spokesperson Daniel Lowry said the company is not postponing payments but will work with federal employees on a case-by-case basis. He said workers who receive a disconnection notice should speak with customer service to receive assistance.
“We do ask that if you call our customer care folks that you do provide some proof that you are a government employee and you are being furloughed. That can be faxed or email or presented in person to our customer care centers. We definitely want to work with folks that are in this situation, which is a real hardship,” Lowry said.
Pennyrile Electric Member Services Vice President Brent Gilkey said the company is also not postponing bill payments for government workers and has not received any requests to do so. He said the company will work with all customers to connect them to local resources if needed.