{"id":5596,"date":"2020-09-02T10:49:51","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T15:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com\/blog\/?p=5596"},"modified":"2020-09-02T10:49:51","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T15:49:51","slug":"texas-electricity-relief-program-to-end-this-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com\/blog\/texas-electricity-relief-program-to-end-this-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Electricity Relief Program To End This Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Texas electricity relief program ends October 1. Nonpayment shuts off will resume. Learn what you can expect if you enrolled in the EAP program.!<\/center><\/p><\/div>\n

Payment Deferment During COVID-19<\/span><\/h2>\n

Back in March, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) created the <\/span>Electricity Relief Program<\/span> (ERP) to reduce the economic burden of electricity cost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two main benefits to Texas electricity customers are deferred payment plans and prevention of shutoffs for nonpayment. The program was <\/span>extended in July<\/span>. However, at its most recent meeting the <\/span>PUCT decided to end ERP<\/span>\u00a0at the end of September.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the more than half a million Texas electricity customers who have signed up with ERP, it means utility nonpayment shut offs will resume in October. But, that doesn’t mean that customers need to pay outstanding bills right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

PUCT Keeps Deferred Payment Directive In Place<\/span><\/h3>\n

Though ERP is ending, deferred payment plans remain available through electricity providers. The PUCT has made it clear that <\/span>Texas electricity providers<\/span> must still follow the regulatory agency\u2019s directive to offer deferred payment plans through the pandemic to all customers who ask for them. This PUCT order is completely separate from ERP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What To Do If You Participate In ERP<\/span><\/h3>\n

Approximately 595,000 households have signed up for the Electricity Relief Program. If you\u2019re financially responsible for one of those households, here are a few actions you should take:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n