Ameren Illinois Customer Service Issues

I am almost 70 years old and seeking ways to reduce my electric bill. I am temporarily moving out of my home during renovations due to the lack of utilities like water and sewer. Currently, I have rented an apartment at [redacted] S Main, Apt 2. Surprisingly, I received an electric bill of $[redacted] for the apartment even though no one has moved in yet. I am wondering if there is a minimum charge for unoccupied residences. How can I obtain more information on this matter? Thank you for your assistance.

I recently noticed an issue with my bill where the previous unpaid amount was mistakenly included in the current bill. Payment for the current bill was made without deducting the previous amount. Due to this, the full (incorrect) amount was withdrawn from my checking account. I believe this to be an error, as I did not authorize the full amount to be taken. This has caused my checking account to be overdrawn. I kindly request a reimbursement of the overcharged amount to be credited back to my checking account promptly as I have other financial obligations to fulfill.

I need to transfer the power for [redacted] Hawkinson Ave in Galesburg from Arthur J. to myself, Mary W. I want to maintain power at my current address, [redacted] Knox Highway 31, until I sell it. Currently, I am a customer at that address. I am requesting the transfer to be completed by September 16th. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Geralyn L. and I'm the homeowner of the property at [redacted] Anna in Wood River. I noticed there's a new gas meter installed with a cut square in the sidewalk. I had plans to remove the sidewalk, fill the low area with dirt, and address the drainage issue near the house. Recently, I found the square filled in with white sand. I would like to know if your team is responsible for this. I have a contractor ready to work on fixing the drainage concern this week, but I want to ensure it won't interfere with any ongoing work. Thank you for your assistance.

I recently purchased a two-bedroom condo where I only stay two weeks per month. I alternate the temperature between 55 and 68 degrees when I'm there, using just one electric furnace. However, my November bill was surprisingly high at $[redacted], indicating that I supposedly used [redacted] kWh. This seems excessive for a single occupant with minimal appliance usage. I do not have a dishwasher and have only used the washer and dryer twice. I would appreciate it if you could investigate this matter and reach out to me promptly. Thank you.

I am writing to address a recent incident with my sewer line. On December 10, [redacted], I discovered that Ameren workers had inadvertently cut through my sewer line while installing a pipe on my property, leading to considerable damage. As a result, I had to hire a plumber to address the issue, incurring costs of $[redacted].18. Additionally, I had to dispose of two basement rugs due to the sewage backup, utilized two wet-vacs for cleanup, and endured a lingering foul odor in my cement-floored basement. Furthermore, a Greater Peoria Sanitary District worker mentioned potential root damage to a 20-foot evergreen tree in my yard that may need to be removed. I kindly request reimbursement for the plumber costs and consideration for the other associated expenses. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter further to reach a resolutions. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I am kindly requesting the painting or replacement of a large green electrical box situated on our street. This box, numbered [redacted], is in the [redacted]/[redacted] block of Green Meadow Drive in Decatur, Illinois. It has become rusty and unattractive, especially when compared to the newly replaced boxes in the area near the Montessori Academy for Peace (formerly Thomas Jefferson Junior High School) across the street from my residence at [redacted] Green Meadow Drive. With the school's recent renovation and increased visibility, it would greatly improve the aesthetic appeal of the street to address this aging electrical box. I can provide photos to assist with your decision-making process. Thank you for your attention to this matter. - J.H.

Hello, this is Matthew Gary. I am reaching out because I recently returned home after being out of town due to my father's passing. My father used to assist me with my Ameren Illinois utility bill. I received a notice stating that I am at risk of disconnection due to missed payments. Over the last 3 months, I have been struggling following the loss of my father. Without his support, it has been challenging for me to manage expenses, especially since my job does not provide sufficient income. I kindly request an extension to make the payments once I have received my earnings. Losing access to Wi-Fi and services would make it difficult for me to settle the bill promptly once I am able to. I am currently working hard to improve my situation, and any assistance in granting me more time would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for considering my request during this challenging time.

We have had two poles in our backyard ever since we purchased our house 22 years ago. During a recent storm, there was a power outage that caused both poles to lean over 15-20 degrees, creating a significant risk to our property. The poles are close to our attached garage, and if they fall, there is a high likelihood of damage. We have been informed for the past two decades that Ameren would address this issue annually, yet nothing has been done. If the poles collapse, not only will my house be affected, but my neighbor's electricity, who has a medically-dependent child, will also be disrupted. It appears as though the company may be neglecting the situation due to the potential need to remove parts of my deck and fence to access the poles. I have photos of the current pole situation and the pre-storm condition. If possible, I would be happy to share them with you to illustrate the urgency of the matter.

I received a disconnection notice from AMEREN Illinois for October 24, [redacted]. I contacted them that morning to set up a new DPA. To activate the DPA, I needed to pay $[redacted].00 before midnight. Unfortunately, being disabled means I can't drive and the ride I had arranged to get the money and make the payment didn't arrive. The office closed at 5:00 pm, and I couldn't find an alternative ride in time. When I finally reached AMEREN at 5:30 pm, they couldn't grant me an extension despite my explanation. They stated that if I didn't pay the $[redacted].00 by midnight, my power might be disconnected the next morning at 7:00 am. The location where I must go to make the payment doesn't open until 9:00 am. Is there any possibility of receiving an extension or adjusting my account balance due to a loss of income?

I received a disconnect notice from AMEREN for October 24, [redacted]. I contacted them that morning to set up a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) to pay $[redacted].00 on the same day. Unfortunately, as a disabled person reliant on disability benefits and without transportation, the ride I arranged did not show up, making it impossible for me to make the payment on time. Despite my efforts to reach AMEREN's customer service before their deadline, I could only connect with an agent by 5:30 pm. I explained my situation, requesting an extension or renegotiation due to my loss and change in income, but was informed that the deadline remained at midnight. With the business where I could pay closing at 5:00 pm and not reopening until 9:00 am the next day, I am seeking understanding and flexibility from AMEREN to prevent a disconnect of my service.

I am a disabled senior citizen, Laurie Zorn. I received a letter from you on Saturday stating I owe over $[redacted] on my electric and gas bill. I have applied to the assistance programs you recommended but have not received a response yet. I will contact them on Monday to inquire. Currently, I am still battling pneumonia and have four more days of medication. My next check is not until December 30th, so I can pay the bill then. Unfortunately, I won't be able to cover my gas bill, especially with the upcoming single-digit temperatures. If possible, please wait until the 30th for my payment as I cannot afford to be without heat or groceries.

I am Laurie Zorn from [redacted] C Street, Normal, IL. I want to address a sewer backup issue in my mobile home that started after Ameren trimmed trees around the area. As a disabled senior citizen, I have been struggling to clear the blockage for several nights now. Despite numerous attempts with a plumbing snake, the problem persists. I have incurred significant expenses hiring professionals to fix this issue caused by the tree trimming. I kindly request that Ameren address this matter promptly either by unclogging all my drains or compensating me for the damages to my floors, cabinets, and walls. You can reach me by email at [redacted] if clarification is needed.

Hello, my name is Felishia Arthur. I have an account at [redacted] Old Frankfort Rd, Marion, IL [redacted]. My sister, living there, is struggling to get her disability benefits after a severe back injury caused her to lose her job. I, a single mother of two toddlers, am also facing financial difficulties due to illness and inability to work. My sister is trying to sell belongings to pay a $[redacted] bill for utilities. I left the power on at the address. We are in need of help to avoid disconnection. A friend promised to pay the bill using the account number but didn't follow through. I’m concerned about falling behind on payments. We are hoping for a solution before she and her children are left without power. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Felishia Arthur

I have encountered two issues recently. Following my mother's passing in October, I've been managing the Ameren bills for her home under the account number [redacted]. Last month, there was an error where I mistakenly paid her home bill but applied it to my personal home account under [redacted], resulting in a credit of $[redacted].93 for her. I would like to explore the possibility of transferring this credit to my personal account. Furthermore, I have successfully sold my mother's home, and the closing is approaching soon. I am seeking to have the utilities shut off and her account closed on Monday, 4/17.

I am desperately seeking help to keep my power on. I received a disconnection notice scheduled for today, but despite my efforts, I have not been successful in finding assistance. My husband recently left after a fight about gambling away our bill money, leaving me alone with three kids. I have reached out to Ameren, but the notice states the possibility of disconnection between the 16th and 26th. I am hoping for a compassionate gesture from Ameren to delay the shut off until the 26th so I can secure last-minute help. Additionally, I would appreciate more recommendations for assistance beyond the two I was previously given. I am feeling desperate as I have no one else to turn to and want to shield my kids from further stress, especially with Father's Day approaching and my son's birthday next week. Thank you for any help and understanding.

My power has been out for four days now, and I have received three messages from your automated system which is frustrating. I would appreciate more frequent updates on the situation since I rely on the power I pay for. I have lived in Meredosia for years, and they are usually quicker at fixing lines. Please keep me informed about what is being done. I urgently need to do laundry and take a shower for work tomorrow, and the lack of power means I only have cold water in my house.

After a recent wind storm, some branches in my tree have broken off. While trying to clear them, I noticed they fell on the service drop running to my neighbor's house, putting pressure on the wires. These branches are sizable, around 4 inches in diameter where they broke. I plan to have the tree removed in the winter, but I can't find an arborist willing to work on it with this issue still there.

I am frustrated because I have been a loyal customer of Ameren/Cilco for over 60 years and have never qualified for a Google Nest due to living in [redacted]. Finally, I tried to apply online and encountered issues with the process. When I was asked to enter a pin number, leaving the page to retrieve the pin caused my application to be overwritten. Upon reapplying, I was informed that someone named Eugene Powers had already started an application, preventing me from proceeding. The IT system should be designed better to allow for interruptions without losing progress. I am so disappointed after all these years of being a customer.