MESA, Ariz. — It's been a brutal summer. Not only for those enduring the heat outside but homeowners and renters who have been blasting their AC to stay cool.
Even into October, the Valley still sees triple-digit heat, which does not give people a break on their electricity bills, creating situations where they can no longer afford it.
Joseph Amaro in Mesa is one of them.
"It's kind of hard to keep up with everything," Amaro said.
The City of Mesa Utilities provides his electricity. A spokesperson for the City said there are about 208,000 customers and about 1,500 are behind on payments. Totaling $3.94 million in payments that are owed to the City.
Amaro said his bill this summer has been around $500 a month and he hasn't been able to pay for the past three months after his wife recently suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.
"With her losing her income and everything, and that's just putting more strain on us," Amaro said.
He recently got a notice that his power would be shut off but said he doesn't know when it will happen. On top of paying for gas, groceries and other bills Amaro is concerned one day he'll get home from work and the power will be off.
"I've been looking for another job like, so I can work two jobs, like, just to be able to cover all my expenses," he said.
Mesa does have a grace period during the summer where it won't disconnect electricity if customers are behind. That's from June 1 to September 30. However, a City spokesperson said if the predicted temperatures are 95 degrees or higher, power won't be shut off.
Given the recent record-breaking heat, there is no estimated time at this point when disconnections will occur.
Amaro is also concerned that Mesa has no payment plan. Meaning he would have to pay his entire electric bill in one payment.
"I just think that it's wrong that they don't have no other option," Amaro said.
While Mesa doesn't typically provide payment plans, a spokesperson said those who are behind or are struggling to pay can call Mesa's utility customer service call center and they will work with homeowners to come up with solutions.
APS and SRP, the two largest electricity providers in the state do have payment plans and grace periods.
Currently, 12% of APS customers have past-due utility accounts, according to a spokesperson. Its grace period is from June 1 to October 15. Even with record-breaking heat, APS does not plan on extending its grace period.
Those who have an outstanding balance of $75 or more will be put on a six-month payment plan and those with a balance of $300 or less do not meet the threshold to have their service disconnected. For those who do, a spokesperson said disconnections typically happen in mid to late November.
For SRP, their grace period is from July to August but any day when the National Weather Service declares an excessive heat warning.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.