"I didn't have the $300 they needed," she said. In New York City, the numbers reported include only water and sewer accounts that are at least 180 days overdue; the total of all overdue water and sewer bills in New York City is certainly much higher. We will Illinois utilities shut off moratorium ends Wednesday; how to get help These pages cover more specific details that depend on the type of utility, and its critical that you use the right tools for your specific type of jurisdiction and type of utility. September 7, 2021 However, the California data do not include arrears for customers of wastewater-only utilities. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? Applications for LIHEAP for the 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now and throughout the winter heating season. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. To help bridge this divide, the CPUC approved a partnership with the Department of Education to fund $5 million in devices for students in need. A recent report by Duke University researchers found that, if utility disconnections had been barred nationwide from March through November 2020, COVID-19 infections rates could have been reduced by 8.7% and deaths by 14.8%. What pandemic? Utilities resuming disconnections - WCPO Last month, regulators voted 2 to 1 to extend a temporary moratorium on utility shutoffs during the COVID-19 crisis for residential customers until Nov. 1. The proclamations said that customers shall not be charged late fees for energy, telecommunications, or water services between March 23, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Your electric or gas utility may be able to arrange a new payment plan that you can afford and, at the same time, the utility can also check your eligibility to participate in a range of payment assistance programs (see discussion below about available residential electric or gas payment assistance programs). Kathy Hochul announced the vast majority of $567 million dedicated to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills will be reflected on customers' August bills. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency Not only did many customers with overdue bills not set up payment plans with their utility companies, they also did not seek much help in coming up with the money. So, late fees for commercial customers were also prohibited during the emergency. DHCD has a toll-free hotline,1-800-632-8175, that is multi-language and will quickly direct you to your local community action agency that can help answer additional questions about eligibility and process your LIHEAP application. A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC) shows there are now 38 states where the moratorium on shutoffs has expired or is voluntary for utility companies. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. At least 30 days before assigningdebt, theutility must first attempt to notify the debtor of the existence of thedebtand that thedebtmay be assigned to a collection agency if not paid. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? Texas bans utility shut-offs during coronavirus outbreak | The Texas Editor's note: This blog has been updated to remove references tostate guidance related to the creation of COVID-19 customer support programs. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. Utilities in Wisconsin will once again be able to shut off services for customers who fail to pay their bills. Eligible government agencies in Washington State may use our free, one-on-one Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. In California, the reported $1 billion in overdue residential bills includes about $600 million for customers of water utilities or combined water/sewer utilities, and about $400 million for customers who receive a combined bill for water and power from the same utility. Please limit your input to 500 characters. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. California has been here before, Feds using enhanced surveillance to see whats behind the natural gas spike in California, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South. The proclamations required these utilities to developCOVID-19 customer support programsthat would address payment plan options for residential customers who are in arrears due to COVID-19-related circumstances. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? If you are served by a municipal utility, it may or may not be shutting off customers for unpaid bills. April 23, 2020: CPUC held a workshop on Impacts of COVID-19 on Customer-Oriented Clean Energy Program. In addition, more than 5,000 utility customers statewide have received $2.8 million from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program that helps renters with unpaid bills and California was allocated $1.5 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act that homeowners can apply to utility bill relief. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission A recent report by Duke University researchers found that, if utility disconnections had been barred nationwide from March through November 2020, COVID-19 infections rates could have been reduced . For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. Sign up today for a digital subscription. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. States should heed the same recommendations as they set up their own programs to administer LIHWAP funds. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. Southern California Edison Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, San Diego Gas & Electric Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Bear Valley Electric Service Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Liberty Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Page, PacifiCorp California Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, The Governors Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website for small businesses. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. You should also closely review your electric and gas utility bills to determine whether you are buying your electric or gas supply from your utility or from another entity, often called a competitive supplier. The move comes after S.C. Gov. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. The four-month lien limit on water services (enforceable only by water shut-off) is extended by: The period in which the lien may be imposed is the later of: (a) Three months from the expiration of the emergency declaration preventing collection or a lien; or (b) Three months of the ratepayer's failure to abide by the terms of an agreed payment plan, if the payment plan for past due charges would have allowed the ratepayer to repay the past due charges over a period of six months or more. NJ residents must make utility bill payments by 2021 or risk shut-offs HARRISBURGThe moratorium on utility shutoffs expires at the end of the month, leaving more than 1 million Pennsylvania households at risk of losing their electricity, gas, water and telephone service. The Biden Administration and Congress have not acted on urgent calls to ban water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPUC is taking action to ensure that this does not become an added hardship for people who have lost their jobs or are otherwise suffering economically due to COVID-19, including, but not limited to: Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) Utilities said that few customers responded to pleas to enroll in payment plans or to apply for assistance, and few customers were shut off. Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. They should also check our Assistance Programs page for information about assistance programs or use the DCAid online screening tool to apply for financial assistance from the State of New Jersey. HEAP is a seasonal program. If you received a shut-off notice from your electric or gas utility, call your utility immediately and ask to enroll in a payment plan. CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. However, you may want to stay with your community choice program this winter because many cities and towns currently have electricity rates that are lower than the rate available from the electric company. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. At least one of those states (Wisconsin) is set to end its moratorium on April 15, placing over 20,000 households at risk of shutoff. But Dutrieuille and the commission approved a motion that will allow customers to stretch out payment plans and keep on their services. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. CARE is available to customers whose total household income is at or below specific income limits, such as $52,4000 for a family of four. Board of Public Utilities | Newsroom & Public Notices Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist., 784 P.2d 1284 (Wash. Ct. App. San Diego International Airport received the $20 million grant as part of the governments Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. So even before there was a mandate to do so, we voluntarily suspended disconnections in early March, said Janet Kim, of PSE. South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. April 30, 2021: CPUC Approves Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plans. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. We offered specific program design recommendations to deliver assistance to those with the greatest need; maximize public health benefits by using program funds to protect access to essential water service; ensure accountability for program spending by states and utilities; and generate data to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and determine how to improve upon it. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. She also noted that the 9,500 customers represented the number of meters that would be shut off, and that more people whoresided in any of those households were also at risk of losing service. Those enrolled in certain other programs (including Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, USF, and Lifeline) are protected by the Winter Termination Program. The New Jersey moratorium on gas and electric companies shutting off service due to non-payment during the coronavirus pandemic is set to expire at the end of the year and the state has sent . She's argued for more targeted solutions to provide assistance to customers in need, highlighting that utilities are required to work out a down payment plan with customers during the pandemic. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. California utilities commission extends moratorium on power shutoffs Some page levels are currently hidden. Category: "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. Even without the moratorium on shutoffs, most utility companies have been generous this year. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. You can alsofile a consumer complaintwith the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or by calling our hotline at 617-727-8400. Texas regulators vote to ban residential utility shut-offs during pandemic while buoying companies The Texas Public Utility Commission approved an order Thursday that would ban.