Utility Assistance - What You Need to Know! July

Transcript:Utility Assistance - What You Need to Know! July:
Utility Assistance - What You Need to Know! July 26, 2023 Webinar for the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, Utility Justice Project Manager, GBrackbill@pautilitylawproject.org Ria Pereira, Esq., Supervising Attorney, RPereira@pautilitylawproject.org Pennsylvania Utility Law Project 1 Pennsylvania Utility Law Project PULP is a statewide legal services project of Regional Housing Legal Services and is a member of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. PULP’s mission is to secure just and equitable access to safe and affordable utility services for Pennsylvanians experiencing poverty. We work to achieve our mission by empowering individuals and communities through: Legal Representation, Groups, and Individuals Education and Training Policy Advocacy Supportive Services Consultation 2 Agenda Regulated vs. Unregulated Utilities Utility Affordability Preventing Termination Connecting / Reconnecting Service Tenant Protections PUC Dispute Process Resources/Referrals 3 Utility moratoria nationwide reduced COVID-19 infection rates by 4.4% and reduced mortality rates by 7.4%. Source: Duke University, NBER, Working Paper Health Exposure to unsafe temperatures Inability to clean and sanitize self and home Lack of access to clean drinking water Housing Constructive eviction – “Self-Help” Catalyst for eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness Difficulty relocating to new housing Ineligibility for public or private housing Family Interrupts family unity, children may be removed from home Contributes to economic abuse and control Hinders child learning and development Finance Liens (municipal utilities) encumber property Harms credit report Food spoilage, burst pipes Utility Insecurity Is Intersectional… 4 Utility Affordability 5 Regulated vs. Unregulated Utilities Regulated Utilities Most large electric, natural gas, and water companies Subject to jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Consumer complaints can be filed with the PUC Must follow rules/regulations for billing, collections, and terminations Electric and gas utilities must offer assistance programs with specific components Unregulated Utilities Municipal utilities & Electric Co-Ops (except PGW & PWSA) Consumer complaints filed with Court of Common Pleas Must follow Water Services Act, Utility Services Tenants Rights Act, and other broad consumer laws No standard billing, collection, and termination standards No requirement to offer assistance programs or payment arrangements 6 Federal Poverty Level 7 Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) Available to customers of large, regulated gas and electric companies. Some regulated water companies (Aqua, Pa. American, PWSA, and PWD) offer assistance programs as well. Benefits: Reduced rates / lower monthly payments. Past debt (arrearage) frozen. Arrearage forgiveness earned over time. Eligibility Requirements: Annual gross household income is at or below 150% FPL. Periodic income