Help with Utilities During COVID-19

Electricity Relief Program: Low income residents can avoid shutoffs by contacting their provider and adding their name to the state's Low Income List. You can go to https://www.txcovid19erp.org/ or call 866-454-8387 to ask to be put on the Low Income List. To get on the list, you must be able qualify for unemployment benefits. You will have to send them proof of unemployment benefit eligibility from the Texas Workforce Commission within 30 days. Be sure to have your electricity provider and account information handy when you call. 

You must get on the Low Income List by August 31 to get COVID-related help.

Also be aware that the Electricity Relief Program is set to end on September 31.

Contact Your Provider: If you cannot pay your electricity contact your utility provider. Even if your utility company has stated it will halt shutoffs due to emergency order, local ordinance, or by voluntary action, contact your utility provider. You may need to ask for help to avoid shutoffs. 

While the universal statewide halt on utility shutoffs has expired, many utility companies are still voluntarily halting shutoffs and working with people to help them pay their bills even if they are not on the Low Income List. Ask your utility provider about deferments and payment plans.

Municipal Utilities

If you purchase your electricity from a city, they may have their own assistance program in place. Many city and government-owned utilities have halted electricity shutoffs, including: 

• Austin
• Brownsville
• Garland (shutoff ban has ended, but contact them to ask for help)
• Lubbock (shutoff ban ended July 1, but contact them to ask for help)
• New Braunfuls (shutoff ban ended July 1, but contact them or go to a local assistance organization to ask for help)
• San Antonio (CPS)
• San Marcos
• Possibly others

Be sure you contact your provider to find out how to participate in their assistance programs.

Some cities have also created programs to help with utility bills.

Contact Your Utility Provider

The best thing you can do to keep your utilities on may be to contact your utility providers. There are a number of programs that might help you if you ask. 

At this time, the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program only applies to electricity, water, and sewage. That is because the Public Utilitiy Commission, which issued the relief order, does not regulate natural gas. The Railroad Commission regulates natural gas. 

That said, some natural gas providers have voluntarily halted natural gas shutoffs due to COVID-19.

Companies halting gas shutoffs:

• Atmos - Until further notice
• Centerpoint - Until further notice
• Corix - Until further notice
• Coserv - Through September 30, but late fees apply after June 1
• Epcor - Until further notice (no shutoffs for residences, businesses may defer payments for 30 days)
• Texas Gas Service - Through September 7
• Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Gas - Until further notice

The above list may be incomplete or out of date. Whether listed here or not, contact your gas provider to ask about programs to keep your gas connected.

Note that you will still owe money for unpaid gas bills. The above companies have said only that they will temporarily halt shutoffs for nonpayment.

From Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: Nearly every electric provider in Texas is required to offer a deferment upon request. Some co-ops and municipal providers may be exempt from this requirement. If your deferment request was wrongfully denied, gather your emails and correspondence about the deferment request, then call or email your complaint to the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 888-782-8477, customer@puc.texas.gov. To find help paying your bill, call 211, or contact the Texas Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

No. The COVID-19 Electricity Relief program allows you to ask your utility company to defer your bills. Your utility payment will eventually be due. 

Remember, you must contact your utility company to participate in the program.

If you have complaints about your utility provider, call the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 888-782-8477, or email customer@puc.texas.gov. 

No. The COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program only stops your provider from shutting your utilities off. It does not require them to turn your utilities back on. However, if you contact your provider they may still work with you.

No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. This is true even if you are behind on rent.

For more information:

• Article from the Austin Tenants Council (as well as a form to demand your landlord turn utilities back on)
• Article from Lone Star Legal Aid

Also, the Texas Justice Court Training Center has made court forms to help you force your landlord to turn your utilities back on. You can get the forms here.