Visit, For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities, In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or complete. NEW! Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? Please do not include personal or contact information. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. 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. 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. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Governor Inslee issuedProclamation 20-23.16 on July 2, 2021, which extended the utility shutoff moratorium through September 30, 2021. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC). In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. 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. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. May 7, 2020: Free and affordable Internet access and devices are crucial for low income students as they transition to learning from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. 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. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt? 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. Most of the assistance is provided through new, emergency programs, although some is provided through pre-existing programs. Editor's note: This blog has been updated to remove references tostate guidance related to the creation of COVID-19 customer support programs. If one of these suppliers is on your bill, it is possible that one of these companies switched your electricity supply without your permission. 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. Source: Executive Order No. The proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. So, late fees for commercial customers were also prohibited during the emergency. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities 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. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. 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. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. One possibility is that you are participating in your city or towns community choice electric plan. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. Consumer advocates and those who manage programs to assist customers, such as the Dollar Energy Fund, are warning those facing shutoff notices to not wait until the last minute to get help. Electric and gas utility contact information is provided below: You can considercontacting Mass Savefor an energy efficiency audit. CPUC response letter that delays an already scheduled natural gas rate increase for Southern California Gas Company and SDG&E small business customers for 120 days to help reduce natural gas bills during the crisis. 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. The number of customers who havent paid their bills increased 14% in the last year, but the amount they owe increased 76%, according to the Energy Association of Pennsylvania. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). A second possibility is that you are receiving supply from a competitive supplier that markets and sells to individual customers. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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 . Steve Gross Can it be done by appointment? FERA is open to customers whose household incomes slightly exceed those eligible for CARE. You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill; You have an infant under 12 months in your home; and, All adults in the home are age 65 or older, Customers who are interested in installing solar panels or enrolling with community solar programs should visit the AGs Office FAQ with consumer tips at, This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), 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. The Biden Administration and Congress have not acted on urgent calls to ban water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut off, At all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardship. Most significantly, for the first time ever, Congress in December 2020 and March 2021 appropriated funds specifically for low-income water and wastewater assistance a total of $1.138 billion for an emergency Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. 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. COVID-19 San Diego International Airport received the $20 million grant as part of the governments Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. But if you are falling behind on utilities, get help as soon as possible so you are not shut off. Sign up today for a digital subscription. Small business customers may also qualify for payment plans that include arrearage forgiveness. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. 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. The AGO issued a 2018reportand2019 update,and2021 updatethat found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut off if the utility service is needed to heat your home and you receive service from an investor-owned utility, such as Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty Utilities, or Berkshire Gas. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? Keep updated on the latest news and information. Use this button to show and access all levels. March 20, 2020: The CPUC has temporarily waived the hard copy filing requirements for our Advice Letter process. San Diego Gas & Electric residential customer bills. 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. Jay Inslee previously ordered a moratorium on shut-offs, which he extended nine times. Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. You can alsofile a consumer complaintwith the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or by calling our hotline at 617-727-8400. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from disconnecting service through April 15, since the state's winter moratorium takes effect Nov. 1. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. Energy utilities will apply for CAPP assistance on behalf of customers who incurred a past due balance of 60 days or more on their energy bill during the COVID-19 pandemic relief period covering March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. The move comes after S.C. Gov. 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. of Cty. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. The good news is that the recent federal COVID-19 relief packages including President Bidens American Rescue Plan enacted in March 2021 provide billions of dollars that can help low-income families struggling to pay their water and sewer bills. 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. San Francisco, CA 94102, Utility Business Continuity Plans and PSPS Preparation, CPUC Mobilizes Community Based Organizations for Pilot Program To Help Consumers With Utility Debt, CPUC Executive Director Letter Concerning Extension of Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service Through February 15, 2022, CPUC Acts To Ensure Essential Utility Services for Consumers at Risk of Disconnections, CPUC Actions to Protect Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Utility Disconnection Moratoria and Arrearage Management - Presentation at CPUC Voting Meeting, CPUC Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service through September 30, 2021, CPUC Provides Relief for Customers Who Have Energy Bill Debt, https://liob.cpuc.ca.gov/m-4849-utility-transition-plans/, Executive Director Letter to IOUs on Direction to Conduct Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service (Resolution M-4848) Through July 15, 2021, CPUC Extends Emergency Utility Customer Protections and Takes Further Action To Address Energy Arrearages During COVID-19, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, CPUC Implements Consumer Protections to Assist Residential and Small Business Customers, Workshop on COVID-19 Impacts on Customers in the Energy Sector, President Batjer Letter to AT&T regarding Legacy DSL Services Retirement, CPUC Letter to ISPs re: Affordable Broadband Plan Subscription Information, Remarks on COVID-19 Actions from Energy Division Deputy Executive Director, CPUC Letter to Program Administrators on Guidance on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings Assistance Program Suspensions, CPUC Issues Proposal for Additional Customer Protections Due to Non-Payment, CPUC Letter to ISPs on Affordable Broadband Plans to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Gov. 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. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. Individual competitive suppliers (in other words, suppliers that are not part of a community choice program) often charge higher rates than your utilitys rates. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. , 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. We are using lanterns to get ready for work.". As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. 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. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. 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. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Also ask your electric or gas utility if you qualify for an arrearage forgiveness program or any other payment assistance 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. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. 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. If you do not qualify for a low-income program, contact your electric or gas utility to learn about deferred payment arrangements. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. 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. Automatic renewals often lead to customers paying higher rates. If you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. SBA COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), News and Outreach Office But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. Category: Income eligibility is evaluated based on your gross household income for the past 4 weeks. If you are a small business customer that receives electric or gas service through a municipal utility, call your municipal utility to see what programs they offer to help avoid disconnection. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. . 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. In other words, they do not prohibit your payment plans from including interest or late fees for missing a payment after the effective date of the payment plan. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. 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. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. In addition, any Massachusetts consumer who signs a contract with a competitive supplier should actively monitor their electric supply costs each month to ensure the rate that the supplier charges them is the same rate that was agreed to under the contract. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. 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. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. 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. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities Also: Help for Texans (TDHCA) For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. 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. As past-due balances grow, the commission is asking gas, electric and water utilities to submit comprehensive plans for dealing with delinquent bills by Jan. 15. Auth. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. 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. 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. 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. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. Water Utilities Will Not Be Able To Disconnect Service After PSC Vote. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. 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.