Help with Utilities During COVID-19

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. 

Private Utilities

Private utilities are regulated by the Public Utility Commission. See the Public Utility Commission's FAQ to learn how they are helping to make sure utility customer's power and water stay connected.

All retail electric providers (REPs) must offer a deferment plan to anyone who asks. Retail electric providers are retail energy resellers that operate in many areas. If you do not buy power directly from one of the big electric providers listed below or from a local coop or municipal utility, there is a good chance you get your electricity from an REP.

Low Income List: REPs must also suspend disconnections for anyone on 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.  

REPs must defer your payments if you ask, whether or not you are on the Low Income List.

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, Bryan, Denton, Garland, Greenville, Lockhart (through May 24), Lubbock, New Braunfuls, San Antonio (CPS), and 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.

The following major electricity producers have also stopped shutoffs until further notice, including refusal to honor any retail electricity provider's shutoff requests:

• American Electric Power (AEP)
• El Paso Electric
• Entergy
• Reliant
• Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)

• Xcel Energy (SPS)

Contact Your Utility Provider

In short, the best thing you can do to keep your utilities on is 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:

• Agritex - Until further notice
• Atmos - Until further notice
• Centerpoint - Until further notice
• Constellation - Through May 1
• Corix - Until further notice
• Coserv - Through June 1
• Epcor - Until further notice (no shutoffs for residences, businesses may defer payments for 30 days)
• Texas Gas Service - Through May 15
• Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Gas - Until further notice

The above list may be incomplete. 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.

See more information on tenant utility rights here.

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.