Wisconsin Public Service customers in greater debt News-Chronicle Post-winter period and high fuel are suspected factors The government will not be alone in collecting payments this tax season; after April 15, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation will likely cut service to customers with accumulated, unpaid winter bills. More than 20,000 utility customers are falling behind in their bill payments, according to WPS which provides electricity and natural gas for 500,000 customers in north central and northeast Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In a news release on Monday, the company reported that the number of individuals missing payments has not increased, but the amount that customers are not paying has risen by 30 percent, an average of $600 compared to last year. According to Jim Ollmann, WPS corporate credit administrator, creeping economic growth and skyrocketing fuel costs have contributed to customers' inability to pay bills. In the winter, the company cannot shut off services to those who do not pay their bills and many customers have allowed unpaid bills to accumulate. "We've tried and tried to contact most of these customers," Ollman said. "When we're able to make contact we can generally come to some agreement to keep service on, but when customers are avoiding us, there's not much we can do and it will take a substantial effort from those customers to keep service." After April 15, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin authorizes the company to discontinue service to customers who have not paid. To arrange a payment schedule, customers must initiate contact with the company's communication center at 1-800-450-7260. Customers will confront significant downpayments if they made little attempt to pay winter bills and should expect to pay bills completely before the next heating season. Changes in staffing requires an individual to settle utility bills by phone and not in person at the company's walk-in centers. WPS promotes online services, such as energy cost predictions and energy-saving tips. Advisors can help households with special circumstances. WPS provides a budget billing option in which an average monthly bill accommodates for changing heating needs throughout the year.