(ABC57) – Indiana Michigan Power is temporarily suspending disconnections of their services for customers who did not make payments.

The company says they want to help families focus on staying healthy during the coronavirus outbreak.

I&M wants to ensure families continue to have reliable services even if they have not paid.

This comes while the company has been working to gain approval for increased rates in Indiana. 

Indiana regulators gave the company approval for a rate increase on Sunday of 5.7 percent. 

However, I&M had initially requested an increase of 11.75 percent in rates for Indiana customers.

The new rates will be phased in during 2021 and customers will pay around $10 more a month.

Customers with questions on either situation are asked to contact Indiana Michigan Power at 800-311-4634 for Indiana customers and 800-311-6424 for Michigan customers.