The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. The fact sheet provides a guide for advocates, utilities, and state and local officials who are seeking to help customers with past due and unaffordable water and sewer bills. The decision also calls on utilities to document follow-up efforts with community-based organizations to make sure hard-to-reach customers can sign up for relief programs. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. "It just makes this problem compounding for the individual, and it's making the utility look like more of a bad guy in my eyes.". Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. But many utility companies have said without the threat of a shut-off notice, their bills would go unpaid. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. The extension of the moratorium on shutoffs has been met with frustration by some, including Jason Bessette, general manager of New London Utilities. All rights reserved. For water-sewer districts considering rate forgiveness,RCW 57.08.014requires the district to notify all ratepayers of the special rates and any associated cost shifts. "When we have public health experts telling us that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the virus is frequent hand washing, I don't know how in good conscience and based on that public health guidance we can allow utility service to be disconnected," said Valcq. 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. It may also violate the prohibition againstdiscriminating among similarly situated ratepayers [Hous. If your household income is between 60 to 80% of the state median income, you may be able to receive help from theGood Neighbor Energy Fund. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities Also: Help for Texans (TDHCA) Also ask your electric or gas utility if you qualify for an arrearage forgiveness program or any other payment assistance program. If you are unsure whether the supplier on your bill is part of a community choice electric plan, call or check your city or towns website to find out. As Californians are sheltering at home, residential electric usage has increased 15 to 20 percent in recent weeks compared to the same period last year. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. The good news: After we confirmed to Fields' provider that she would be getting pandemic aid to pay the bill, the utility agreed to restore her electricity. In the first quarter of this year, more than 3.3 million residential customers of the states big four utilities have fallen behind on their bills: Applying SDG&Es figure to its overall residential customer total of about 1.326 million, that means 36.6 percent of SDG&E residential customers are in arrears. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. PG&E is submitting separate biweekly corrective action progress reports that can be found on the docket card of the CPUCs Public Safety Power Shutoffrulemaking. The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. The fact sheet also describes five other relevant programs: You can download the fact sheethereor view it below. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. The Biden administration is pushing for more economic relief, but has not yet committed to stopping shut-offs. People can apply for assistance online at TRR's website or over the phone by calling the TRR call center at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. 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. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. Bills You Don't Have to Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. She cited lower unemployment and COVID-19 infection rates, and pointed to the latest federal stimulus among the reasons the moratorium could be lifted. Federal COVID-19 Relief for Water & Sewer Bills | NRDC Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to ban all utility disconnections until next April. 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). Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. of King v. Ne. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? 505 Van Ness Avenue COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission Further, the prohibitions on disconnecting or refusing to reconnect these services was limited by the language of the proclamations to residential service, but the prohibition on charging late fees did not include that limitation. 1990)]. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt? And commissioners said utility companies told them many customers had not set up plans for repayment during the moratorium. He said they're trying to work with customers on payment plans, but the decision means some customers will have $4,000 in outstanding bills by next April. Illinois utilities shut off moratorium ends Wednesday; how to get help Auth. Also, utilities may assign delinquent customer debts to licensed collection agencies under the authority provided inRCW 19.16.500and pursuant to a written contract with a licensed agency. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for SBA disaster assistance programs online or seek assistance from SBAs Customer Service Center at 1-800-569-2955/1-800-877-8339 (TTY). If a small business enrolls in an electric or gas payment plan with its investor-owned utility company and the business makes its payments, it will be protected from electric or gas service disconnection for the duration of the payment plan. Utilities will be able to shut off services for people behind on bills The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. NRDC and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) have just published a new fact sheet summarizing six federal COVID-19 relief programs that are either dedicated to, or can be used for, low income water and wastewater assistance. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. (Getty Images) Paying . In the past year, the CPUC and the states utilities stepped up efforts to get eligible customers to sign up for the California Alternate Rates for Energy, or CARE, and the Family Electric Rates Assistance, or FERA programs. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. This partnership was previously. Many have indicated that if the moratoriums expire, they will cut customers off from power or heat, said Ruth Sawyer, of the Sierra Club. 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%. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. Steve Gross If you qualify as income eligible, there are several programs, including: (1) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program that helps Massachusetts residents pay their heating bills; (2) the low-income discount rate program for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers; and (3) arrearage management programs (AMPs) for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers. The Washington State Department of Commerce has assembledresources for utility customers behind on their payments, and the Washington Department of Healths Office of Drinking Water has a customer assistance program. Please do not include personal or contact information. If you have been switched without your permission, you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities. But Dutrieuille and the commission approved a motion that will allow customers to stretch out payment plans and keep on their services. Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. In California and New York City alone, for example, residential water arrears total over $1.6 billion, with over 1.7 million households affected. "It's just very difficult that the PSC wouldn't allow us to use our same tools," said Bessette. Tripadvisor picks two for top 10 in U.S. San Diego airport gets $20M federal infrastructure grant to help Terminal 1 remodel, Boeing CEO loses $7M bonus, keeps $22.5 million compensation, Louisiana Gov. For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. The order also applies to small-business customers who have bills at least 60 days past due. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. 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. The financial impact of the pandemic has been devastating for many in our community and helping our customers by providing flexible payment options and access to bill assistance resources has been a priority for us, Prince said in an email. The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. MRSC has consolidated additional information in the Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans section of our COVID-19 Small Business and Tenant Assistance Programs webpage. 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. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. In addition to requesting assistance from your electric or gas utility, residential customers should also contact their local community action agency, as there may be funds available to assist households who earn more than 60 % of the state median income, but still need assistance paying their bills. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. February 22 2023. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities here. Share this webpage and the flyer below with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word. You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. It also notes where federal agencies have not yet provided critical details, such as how the program funds will be allocated and how programs will be structured. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. 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. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). Thanks for signing up. Individual competitive suppliers (in other words, suppliers that are not part of a community choice program) often charge higher rates than your utilitys rates. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP.