But this part-time warehouse worker says she was battling COVID, and was out of work for weeks. 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 . 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. 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. March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to ban all utility disconnections until next April. 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. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. 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. 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. 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. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. Lt. Gov. The extension of the moratorium on shutoffs has been met with frustration by some, including Jason Bessette, general manager of New London Utilities. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. 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. 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. of King v. Ne. Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. by For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. In these unsettling and unprecedented times, many people are HEAP is a seasonal program. You can also follow us on social media: Electric and Gas Arrearages Summary as of October, 2022 (PDF). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. (Getty Images) Paying . February 22 2023. The Biden Administration and Congress have not acted on urgent calls to ban water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Water and electrical services have a statutory lien under RCW 35.21.290, but enforcement of the lien is limited to shutting off the utility by RCW 35.21.300. CPUC Industry Divisions will accept the submittal of Advice Letters and related documents by electronic mail. 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. The AMP provides customers with the opportunity to have all or a portion of an arrearage (or outstanding unpaid amounts due) forgiven in exchange for payments of an amount and on a schedule designed individually for each participant. In accordance with the approved plans, utilities are communicating with customers about imminent protection expiration, providing support to customers transitioning off of customer protections, and helping customers enroll in applicable assistance programs. 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. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq highlighted the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. The Biden administration is pushing for more economic relief, but has not yet committed to stopping shut-offs. Please limit your input to 500 characters. The proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. 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 Proclamation 20-23 series (the proclamations) only applied to energy, telecommunications, or water services. If you are served by a municipal utility, it may or may not be shutting off customers for unpaid bills. 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. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. Mashelle Fields is one of them, living off batteries and borrowed power in her apartment. She said utility workers shut off her electricity over the weekend for non-payment going back several months. This blog is co-authored by Larry Levine (NRDC) and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). In its decision, the commission said the combination of the moratorium extension and the two-year amortization plans will relieve customers of the threat of disconnection and put them on a path toward solvency.. "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.". of Cty. 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. . 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. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. Gov. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. For FAQs on the end of the moratorium and the six-month grace period, click here. This is true even if you are behind on rent. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved If you are a residential customer struggling to pay your utility bills, behind on your payments, or interested in more regular payments, reach out to your electric or gas utility to discuss available payment plans and payment assistance programs that may be available. Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. We are using lanterns to get ready for work.". If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. 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 you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. An increase in your homes energy efficiency should result in lower utility bills over time. Individual competitive suppliers (in other words, suppliers that are not part of a community choice program) often charge higher rates than your utilitys rates. PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said its time to return to the regular collections process.. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. September 7, 2021 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. 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. Category: The policy should provide clear criteria for allowing the debt to be written off and should apply to all types of accounts receivable (water, sewer, garbage, court fines, and other fees and charges that the utility may impose). VIDEO: State regulators considering banning all electricity cutoffs for non-payment until next April. 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. So even before there was a mandate to do so, we voluntarily suspended disconnections in early March, said Janet Kim, of PSE.
