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. These LIHEAP funds, combined with assistance from ERAP, will significantly reduce the impact of the lifting of the moratorium, and prevent potentially hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians from facing termination, Wolf said. All rights reserved. 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. Murphy was set to sign an executive order Monday that ends the 15-month moratorium on utility shut-offs on July 1, but creates a grace period through Dec. 31 for residents to sign up for a. Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. Wolf told commissioners he knew the moratorium couldnt continue indefinitely, but he urged them to continue the protections that are in place for low-income Pennsylvanians. And commissioners said utility companies told them many customers had not set up plans for repayment during the moratorium. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. 229; Executive Order No. 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 . The bill also extends the time for cities and counties to impose a sewage lien: A sewage lien may exceed six months' delinquent charges without the necessity of any writing or recording if collection of charges was impacted by the declaration of an emergency by the governor. A lock icon ( Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. Thank you for your website feedback! The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. You must re-apply each year and meet the qualifications to receive a HEAP benefit. Mashelle Fields is one of them, living off batteries and borrowed power in her apartment. By February 25, 2021, IOUs shall submit drafts of Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC staff (, Jan. 22, 2021: Comments on Draft Resolution M-4849. For more information, visit:https://www.dhs.pa.gov/coronavirus/Pages/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.aspx, More:Fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians can gather without masks, but only in these situations, More:COVID-19 vaccine motivation: Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts for showing vaccination card. Category: Pa. lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs and allows utilities to New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. Sign up now! Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. 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. 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. "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. But many utility companies have said without the threat of a shut-off notice, their bills would go unpaid. If you are struggling to pay your electric or gas utility bills, reach out to your utility to discuss available payment plans, arrearage forgiveness programs and other payment assistance programs. If you do not qualify for a low-income program, contact your electric or gas utility to learn about deferred payment arrangements. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. For more information, please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. When the remaining state or local moratoria are lifted, residential water customers who lose shutoff protections will face billions of dollars in arrears. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. by FERA is open to customers whose household incomes slightly exceed those eligible for CARE. PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq highlighted the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. Customers who need payment assistance should contact their utility as soon as possibleto ask about Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs), and to learn what other assistance is available. 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. Hous. Most Massachusetts investor-owned electric and gas utility companies offer deferred payment arrangements which allow the customer to set up a customized, manageable payment plan. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. HEAP Energy Assistance NYC311 - Government of New York City Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Hochul announces rollout of electric and gas utility bill credits for 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. Utilities - Billing and Collection. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He also has been a legal policy advisor for the Pierce County Council and has worked in contract administration. The state regulator also approved a plan that requires utilities including San Diego Gas & Electric to automatically enroll customers who are lagging on monthly payments into a two-year debt relief program. ones. In these unsettling and unprecedented times, many people are It allowed utilities to resume shutoffs on Nov. 9 but the ban was lifted for only three weeks before the annual winter shut-off went into effect on Dec. 1. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. Utilities will be able to shut off services for people behind on bills Automatic renewals often lead to customers paying higher rates. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. 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. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. On this webpage you will find information on what the CPUC But this part-time warehouse worker says she was battling COVID, and was out of work for weeks. Inflation and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine are driving up fossil fuel prices and in turn energy rates for customers across the country this winter. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 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. 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 . Those balances amounted to $235.7 million. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. With expanded income eligibility for some programs, more New Jerseyans are now eligible for utility assistance. Please visit the CSD website for more information. OLYMPIA, WA - With a bipartisan 64-31 vote, the Washington State House passed a bill to ensure a utility operator cannot shut off power or water when the National Weather Service issues a heat-related warning or alert. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. 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. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. For collection of delinquent amounts by water-sewer districts, the procedures in RCW 57.08.081control. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. 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. Gov. At all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardshipandone of the following applies, your electric or gas cannot be shut off without permission from the Department of Public Utilities: In addition, payment plans are available to avoid shut off and manage utility bills. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Source: Executive Order No. Frequently Asked Questions about Electric and Gas Utilities Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. 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. . KIRO 7 News Seattle facebook feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle twitter feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle youtube feed(Opens a new window), Powerball jackpot winner identified as longtime Boeing employee, Multiple western Washington residents indicted in connection to coast-to-coast drug ring, Seattle firefighters battle massive Lake City building fire for hours, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies after brain aneurysm at 61, Thieves lose ATM ripped out of Lakewood credit union. 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. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. NJ residents must make utility bill payments by 2021 or risk shut-offs Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. "I asked a neighbor if I could plug in an extension cord to my refrigerator, just to keep it cold so I don't lose my groceries," she said. Help with Utilities | Texas Law Help 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. NEW! Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. On-Demand Webinars Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. "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.". Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. during these challenging times. "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. But utilities will have to balance their need to maintain their revenue stream with the reality that some of their customers may not have the ability to pay the past-due debt and keep up with current expenses. This partnership was previously. Residential customers making payments under payment plans with their investor-owned electric or gas utility will remain protected from shut-off as long as they make payments under the payment schedule. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. Customers who are interested in installing solar panels or enrolling with community solar programs should visit the AGs Office FAQ with consumer tips at mass.gov/ago/solar. It can reduce electric bills 30 to 35 percent. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? Board of Public Utilities | Newsroom & Public Notices Even without the moratorium on shutoffs, most utility companies have been generous this year. By comparison, about 12 percent of customers had past-due balances in April 2019, amounting to $184million. But since many utilities issue a combined utility bill it may be difficult to separate out services for which it can charge late fees from those it cannot. 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. , The update also adds a link to the Washington State Department of Healths Customer Assistance Program. you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities, current and historic basic service rates here, Frequently Asked Questions about Water Utilities During COVID-19, Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml, https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. This new law provides several important safeguards for residential utility customers by: prohibiting shutoffs during the COVID-19 state of emergency for non-payment of a utility bill;. 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. Income eligibility is evaluated based on your gross household income for the past 4 weeks. The CPUCs oversight consists of ensuring that the utilities are clear about the rules they must adhere to, monitoring the utilities preparation, and evaluating their implementation. 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. Tony Evers invested $15 million in CARES Act funding to the state's Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program in order to help residents pay their heating bills. 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. Many residents are struggling to pay their bills, including their monthly utility bills, following the COVID-19 crisis and due to the currently high fossil fuel prices. PRA/OPMA E-Learning Courses Free video courses for city/town elected officials on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). 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. According to research at Indiana University that looked at a nationally representative sample of households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, 20% of Black households and 28% of Hispanic households reported being unable to pay an energy bill between June and August 2020, compared to just 12% of white households. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Under the terms of the CPUCs vote, utility companies will automatically enroll residential customers who are more than 60 days behind on their energy bills to a COVID-19 Residential Relief Payment Plan that will amortize their debt over a 24-month period. California utilities commission extends moratorium on power shutoffs "It's just very difficult that the PSC wouldn't allow us to use our same tools," said Bessette. A utility company generally can't turn off the heat, electricity or power during cold or hot weather. Take steps to reduce your overall energy usage this winter, which should in turn help you lower your utility bill. SoCalGas Request for Extension of Time to Comply with Ordering Paragraphs of Triennial Cost Allocation Proceeding for Small Business Customers in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, CPUC Works to Help Mitigate Higher Energy Bills Utility Customers May Receive Due to Shelter at Home, CPUC Letter to TNCs on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Response Plans, CPUC Letter to All County Executive Officers re: Essential Wildfire and PSPS Mitigation Work, CPUC Letter to Class C, D Water and Sewer Utilities on Emergency Customer Protections to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Executive Director's Letter to Wireless Providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), SDG&E Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, SCE Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, PG&E Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, Executive Director's Letter to Energy Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Water Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Communications Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Rail Companies, CPUC Suspends Renewal Requirements for Low Income Energy and Telco Programs to Assist Customers During COVID-19 Epidemic, Practitioner Alert: COVID-19 Temporary Filing and Service Protocol, CPUC Public Meetings During COVID-19 Pandemic, Executive Directors Letter to Energy Companies, Executive Directors Letter to Water Companies, Executive Directors Letter to Communications Companies, Draft Resolution Ratifying the Executive Directors March 17 Letter; will be on April 16 Voting Meeting Agenda, Cancelled - CPUC Public Forums on SCE Rate Requests, 2020 Wildfire Mitigation and PSPS Preparation, 2020 Wildfire Mitigation and PSPS Preparation Presentation, Utility Consumer Protections During California COVID-19 Outbreak. For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. Maybe. 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. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). But in cities and towns all around the country in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, and more utilities have resumed cutting off water when people cant afford to pay. Municipal Elections Running for Office Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. Under the terms of the CPUC's vote, utility companies will automatically enroll residential customers who are more than 60 days behind on their energy bills to a "COVID-19 Residential Relief. Cities like Madison and progressive groups have urged the commission to extend its moratorium on utility disconnections, arguing people can't stay safe or thrive without service. State Regulators Bar All Utilities From Shutting Off Water, Power And SDG&E spokeswoman Sara Prince said the utility supports the CPUCs moves. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Auth. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities The AGO strongly urges any Massachusetts consumer who considers signing up with a competitive supplier to read the AGOs FAQs on electric supply options here. February 27 2023, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management 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. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to end the moratorium. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. Pa. utility shut-off notice: Here's what you can do if you're at risk. The Governor's Executive Order establishes a six-month grace period in which no residential customer will face disconnection of their gas, electric, or water services before the end of the grace period on December 31, 2021. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. 2023 www.goerie.com. 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. We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. An additional "catch-all" category is also included for those who are unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment or illness. For small business customers of an investor-owned utility, enrolling in a payment plan may protect your business from electric or gas shut off if you cannot afford your current balance. If you are homebound, you may request a home visit to apply for HEAP. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace. Budget billing equalizes monthly payments over the course of 12 months so that you pay a predictable amount each month instead of seeing your bill amount fluctuate depending on the season, the price of energy, and customer usage. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. 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. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. New Jersey has again extended its moratorium on companies shutting off residents' utilities through June 30, as the state continues to cope with the coronavirus pandemic one year after the . Six utilities serving more than 21 million Californians have announced that they will not shut off customers' power for non-payment as the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life. Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. BGE Customers With Disconnected Service Can Get Service Restored During COVID-19 Pandemic. The Biden administration is pushing for more economic relief, but has not yet committed to stopping shut-offs.