Ameren customers should start seeing their rebates soon. Company officials announced today rebates and credits are now being processed for more than one-million customers statewide.

Within the next month alone, Ameren will distribute 140 million of the one billion dollar rate relief package to customers.

Ameren says customers will get a minimum $85 check or credit within to help offset hikes that occurred this year when a 10-year rate freeze expired.

Ameren's Stan Ogden said, "We want to get customers accustomed to what the market price of electricity is. That's the bulk of their electricity bill and we're hopeful that as we have future rate increases we're hopeful that the market stabilizes as well."

Ameren does plan to ask the Illinois Commerce Commission for another rate increase on delivery service. That request will be made later this year, but could take nearly a year to be implemented.

Ameren officials say the current relief package will provide a reduction for customers whose utility bills increased by 50 percent or more this year.

Some AmerenCilco customers we spoke with say every bit helps.

Delores Graham said, "That's very good. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe it will help me catch up."

Valerie Rucker added, "It's not enough, 100 dollars. It's really not enough, especially you know if you have to pay out extra and then you try to make it, living everyday it's so hard."

"It's better than nothing at all, been paying, never understand it, so it will be a big help to me," said Betty Roland of Bellevue.

Ameren says customers will get $5 applied towards their account each month for the remainder of the year and credits will continue for the next two years.

The announcement comes two weeks after Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the billion-dollar relief package aimed at soaring electric rates.

Ameren says customers should receive checks and credits within 4 to 6 weeks.

To find out how much your refund will be...you can find a link to Ameren's website at Newslinks.