Simply Energy has suspended billing and collection activities and established a customer hotline for people in flood affected areas of Victoria.

Simply Energy chief executive Paul Maguire said the company was very conscious of the impact of the flooding on the lives of people in regional Victoria and the stress and loss it was causing.

“We don’t want electricity and gas accounts to add to these concerns. Therefore, we have implemented a number of initiatives to assist our customers in these areas and to help alleviate some of their worries,” he said.

The initiatives include the establishment of a dedicated helpline for any of Simply Energy customers affected by the flooding, and the suspension of collection and billing activities for flood affected customers.

The company will also offer instalment plans to its customers to assist them once billing and collection activity has resumed.

Simply Energy said its hardship teams are working with local community groups to assist where possible. All marketing and sales activities in the flood affected areas has been suspended.