The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) urged financially-stressed households across the state to explore the many options available to help keep their monthly utility bills affordable. This is the case whether their concerns are related to the current COVID-19 crisis or other economic issues. The PUC noted the availability of an assortment of PUC-required utility assistance programs, along with the merits of energy conservation and efficiency programs.
The PUC offers several tips for households experiencing financial difficulties. First, people should contact their utilities to discuss the details and qualifications for their customer assistance programs (CAPs), especially if there have been recent changes in household income. Even if an individual did not qualify for CAP in the past, he or she may now be eligible.
Customers currently on CAPs who have experienced further reductions in household income should check with their utilities to determine if they qualify for additional assistance or more favorable financial options.
Members of households should discuss their financial situation with their utilities to explore other possible options before bills become delinquent. Options could include extended payment plans, budget billing, utility hardship funds, and/or assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the federal Lifeline program, which offers telecommunications and broadband access funding support to eligible low-income individuals or households.
The PUC has already taken steps to pause payment-related utility terminations for residents and businesses across the state during the current emergency. The PUC also noted the value and impact of monthly utility payments, as these funds support the electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications services everyone depends upon.
Utilities across the state are committed to working with consumers to address these challenging circumstances, but they need to hear directly from families and businesses that are experiencing problems so they can begin individual conversations about what resources and options are available.
Specifically, for households struggling financially during this crisis, it is important to work together with their utilities to tap into numerous utility assistance programs intended to make utility bills more manageable to assist in payment options. These efforts will not only assist these household consumers throughout this emergency but will also minimize future financial challenges when the emergency has passed.
Although the PUC has temporarily paused payment-related utility terminations, it is important for consumers to understand that any past-due bills or delinquent balances that remain after the current public health emergency has passed will be handled according to the rules of the individual utilities and consistent with PUC policy.
The PUC noted that utilities across the state are committed to maintaining essential services. Many systems that are largely outside the PUC's jurisdiction - such as municipal utilities, municipal authorities and cooperatives - have also moved to work with financially troubled consumers and suspend terminations. Consumers served by those non-PUC regulated systems should work directly with their municipality or co-op to address payment issues.
Additionally, national telecommunications companies are working with the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Keep America Connected initiative to ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity during these exceptional circumstances. So far, more than 550 companies and associations have signed the FCC's pledge.
The PUC encourages families to explore energy conservation to help manage bills, especially as more people are working remotely and spending their entire day at home. This change to teleworking can have a notable impact on energy usage. The PUC has interactive information and tips for saving energy on its energy shopping websites at http://www.papowerswitch.com and http://www.pagasswitch.com.
Finally, for people looking for ways to help others during this time of crisis, the PUC encourages concerned citizens to explore various utility or community hardship funds or crisis support programs. Contributions to those programs directly help families that are having difficulty affording their utility service and work to safeguard the most vulnerable members of the community. Readers should check with their utilities or nonprofit programs, like the Dollar Energy Fund, for more information about ways to help households in need.
To learn more, readers may visit http://www.puc.pa.gov.
Leave a Review