Can Utilities be set up as direct pay?

[cahoca]

I am wondering if companies like Verizon, Ameren, and other "utility" type companies and rental companies, etc, can be set up on LCR so that they can be paid directly without a paper check. I run into fast offering situations where it would be nice to do this because timing is always short to get it there in time by mail or dropping off at an office. Is this something that can be done and what is the best way to go about it?

Thank You!

[garystroble]

I am wondering if companies like Verizon, Ameren, and other "utility" type companies and rental companies, etc, can be set up on LCR so that they can be paid directly without a paper check. I run into fast offering situations where it would be nice to do this because timing is always short to get it there in time by mail or dropping off at an office. Is this something that can be done and what is the best way to go about it?

Thank You!

I don't know your location but if you are in the United States the answer is no. Cannot speak for other areas.

Only other way to deal with it is have a leader pay with their personal credit card and then get reimbursed by fast offering. But that would have to be on a month by month basis, not set up as direct pay each month; that would not be a good idea at all.

[davesudweeks]

We used to try to cover food first so the member could cover their bills (either through the bishop's storehouse or the RS purchasing food at a local grocery store and being reimbursed as noted by garystroble). I see more and more instances where companies don't like to receive paper checks. I believe it will eventually change like some other parts of the world where checks are no longer used but in the US, paper checks are the current authorized method for paying utility bills directly from Fast Offering funds.