Electric service provider APS is starting its summer payment hold, which will prevent customers from having services disconnected during the hottest part of the year. 

APS had already imposed a moratorium on disconnecting service during the coronavirus pandemic, and as spokesperson Jill Hanks explains, customers will still be responsible for their account balances.

"Customers continue to receive their bills and remain responsible for making timely payments during this time, even if a customer can pay a small amount, that would help the balance from continuing to build throughout the summer," Hanks said. "If  somebody is behind on their bill we would automatically put them on a four-month payment arrangement."

Last year, some Arizona electric utilities were barred from disconnecting power to customers late on their bills from June 1 through Oct. 15. That followed the 2018 heat-related death of a 72-year-old woman whose power was shut off over a $51 unpaid balance. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been modified to correct the amount of the unpaid balance that led to the customer’s electricity shutoff.