Utility companies will not disconnect service for people affected by COVID-19
Unemployment claims are skyrocketing and families are worried about how they will cover their bills.
Utility companies are vowing to not shut off service for customers in the Central Coast who are experiencing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is working with customers to set up payment plans and is encouraging people to apply for their assistance programs:
California Alternate Rate Assistance (CARE) Program
A monthly discount of 20%
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
A monthly discount of 18%
Qualification for the programs is based on the number of people in a household and the amount of income made by a household.
Customers of PG&E can send a text to 20283 to see if they qualify for either of these programs.
At the same time for customers in Monterey County, Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) is expecting to reduce their electricity portion rates on PG&E bills by 50 percent for the months of May and June.
As for water in Monterey, California American Water says they will also not be disconnecting any service due to non-payment. Amounts due are not being waived, but rather extended. Customers are being advised to contact United Way.
Republic Services said they are handling people's economic hardship on a case-by-case basis.
The bottom line is that utility companies are promising to not disconnect people's services during a period when families are being asked to stay at home to shelter from the COVID-19 outbreak and limited income is available.
