JPS announces discount programme under Beryl relief initiative

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has announced a discount for approximately 350,000 residential customers under its Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme.

The 20% discount will be applied to customers who use 150 kWh of electricity or less for the month.

JPS says the discount will be applied to current charges and reflected on bills that customers will start receiving in August.

Additionally, active prepaid residential customers will get a one-off $1,500 top-up electricity credit on their accounts.

Recognising the far-reaching impact of Hurricane Beryl on its customers, JPS says it has relaxed its collections and disconnection processes.

The company says 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 says it will also continue to facilitate flexible payment arrangements for customers 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.”

On the matter of estimated bills being issued to some customers arising from Beryl, JPS says in light of the likely impact on customers it has subsequently submitted a proposal to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) requesting a review of the mechanism for calculating estimated bills, specifically for customers impacted by extended outages as a result of the hurricane.

The company says 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.

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