How to pay bills, pick up cheques in London during postal strike

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As 55,000 Canada Post workers walk picket lines across the country, here’s what Londoners need to know about how the strike could affect them, from paying their utility bill to picking up Ontario Works cheques

London Health Sciences Centre

To minimize impact for patients and staff, all departments within the hospital will review patient and staff mailouts to determine if “any time-sensitive communications need to be adjusted using alternative methods such as electronic communication tools,” an LHSC spokesperson said Friday.

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Ontario Works

Ontario Works cheques will be ready for pickup at Citi Plaza on 355 Wellington Rd. The city “strongly recommends” direct bank deposit or reloadable payment card to secure prompt receipt of the payments.

Clients who receive their Ontario Works payments through direct deposit or reloadable payment cards should continue to receive the payments, but statements will still need to be mailed, the city said.

Payments made to third parties, such as landlords and vendors, also will be held for pickup at Citi Plaza. Vendors are “strongly encouraged” to set up direct bank deposits to ensure timely receipt of Ontario Works payments.

Discretionary benefits will be available for pickup on Nov. 18, and purchase vouchers will be ready at Citi Plaza. Recipients unable to pick up vouchers should contact discretionary benefits.

Ontario Works clients continue to be required to report all changes to their situation, including income changes, and the city strongly recommends signing up for MyBenefits to access case information online and all correspondence.

Items can be dropped off in any of the social service mailboxes at:

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• Glen Cairn resource centre, 244 Adelaide St. S.
• North London Optimist community centre, 1345 Cheapside St.
• Northland Mall, 1275 Highbury Ave. at Huron Street
• South London community centre,1119 Jalna Blvd.
• Citi Plaza, 355 Wellington Rd.

London Hydro – Electricity and water bills

Late payment fees will continue to apply during the strike, and customers are responsible for paying their bills on time, London Hydro says.

Payment options are available on London Hydro’s website, where customers can register for paperless billing and pay bills online.

Payments also can made at any bank or by dropping payment in the deposit box at London Hydro.

Customers who pay through London Hydro’s pre-authorized payment plan will have amounts automatically withdrawn from their account as usual.

Account balances are available by calling customer service or using London Hydro’s automated phone system.

Licensing, municipal law enforcement and parking

No changes or additional discretion will be given by officers addressing and identifying bylaw violations due to the strike.

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All parking ticket payments must be made on time. Payment can be made online or in person at 824 Dundas St. and on the third floor city hall at 300 Dufferin Ave.

Payments also may be deposited into the after-hours deposit box at the front of 824 Dundas St., and cash cannot be included in the envelope. Other non-parking penalties can be paid in person at 824 Dundas St. or on the third floor of city hall.

City tax bills, customer invoices and vendor payments

Supplementary tax bills due on Nov. 29 and Dec. 20 and any other property tax-related bills such as ownership change fees and new account fees with a due date of Nov. 29 must be paid as stated.

bbaleeiro@postmedia.com

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