PUC offering options regarding utilities
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission wants Pennsylvanians who are financially stressed due to the pandemic to reach out for help.
“Now, more than ever, maintaining utility services is essential to the well-being of our families and communities,” PUC Commissioners Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, David W. Sweet, Andrew G. Place, John F. Coleman Jr. and Ralph V. Yanora said in a joint statement.
The PUC said various resources were available from assistance programs to energy conservation and efficiency programs.
The commission directed impacted Pennsylvanians to contact their specific utility directly to discuss their customer assistance programs (CAPs) because even though a household may not have been eligible in the past, the standards have been changed and they may be now.
They recommended that customers currently in CAPs who have experienced further reductions in household income should also reach out to their utilities. The PUC said these households may qualify for additional assistance or more favorable financial options.
Utilities also have other possibilities that could support financially-stressed Pennsylvanians including extended payment plans, budget billing, utility hardship funds and assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and federal Lifeline program, which is a telecommunications and broadband access funding support to eligible low income individuals or households.
State officials stressed that customers should call their utilities to see what’s available before bills become delinquent.
The PUC has taken steps to pause payment-related utility terminations during the coronavirus crisis. Some utilities, have been at the forefront of this effort. PECO, for example, has suspended all late fees and terminations of service through May 1, although that may be extended. They are also in the process of connecting electricity for those who have had it terminated. Call 1-800494-4000 if you had previously had your service terminated with PECO so they can restore it.
“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 who are experiencing problems so they can begin those individual conversations about what resources and options are available,” the commissioners said.
Customers of municipal utilities are authorities are asked to call those entities directly.
There are tips for saving energy at PAPowerSwitch. com and PAGasSwitch.com.
Also, more than 550 telecommunications companies are working with the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep America Connected program to ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity during this time. This effort has companies agree not to terminate any residential or small business service because of their inability to pay right now. In addition, late fees related to the pandemic would be waived and Wi-Fi hotspots would be open to any American who needs them.