Special to the Enquirer  

Joe Wheeler EMC has announced a change to the disconnection policy put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Beginning June 1, JWEMC will begin processing disconnections for all delinquent accounts.  

To avoid being disconnected, JWEMC members with past–due accounts are encouraged to contact JWEMC Customer Service, 256-552-2300, to make payment arrangements. This is especially important for JWEMC PrePayGo customers.  

Starting in mid-March, the electric cooperative, which serves most of Morgan and Lawrence counties, suspended all disconnections for non-payment, in light of businesses being shut down across the area becase of the pandemic. During this time, JWEMC has reminded members that past–due balances would have to be paid in full at some point.  

To help any members who might be unable to pay their past–due balances, JWEMC is working with the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama. Members who are unable to pay can contact CAPNA by visiting www.capna.org, calling 256-260-4050 for Morgan County residents or calling 256-522-0019 for Lawrence County residents.  

Applications for CAPNA assistance will also be available at all JWEMC offices, near the payment kiosks.  

“Community Action may be able to help, but it’s important for our members to know they still need to contact JWEMC if they are behind,” said director of communications Michael Cornelison. 

Beginning this week, Joe Wheeler EMC has reopened the lobbies of all three offices for customers. The offices were closed in mid-March as a safety precaution for both the members and employees.  

JWEMC asks that customers continue to make payments online, by phone, through the JWEMC app, at the kiosk, by mail, or through the drive-throughs and/or night depositories located in both Hartselle and Moulton.  

Any business can still be done over the phone by calling 256-552-2300, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  

Those who must come into one of the offices are asked to follow social distancing and safety standards.  

Customers who might have come into contact with someone infected with COVID-19 are asked to please conduct any business with JWEMC from home.