Temporary Prohibition on Disconnection of Utilities

• District of Columbia
• Washington
• Business
• Miscellaneous

As part of the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, the D.C. Council has prohibited the providers of natural gas, electricity, and water from disconnecting services for non-payment during a public health emergency and for 15 days thereafter.

The D.C. Council has also prohibited telecommunications service providers from disconnecting, suspending, or degrading telecommunications service for non-payment of a bill, any fees for service or equipment, and other charges, or noncompliance with a deferred payment agreement during a public health emergency and for 15 days thereafter.

However, customers will still be billed as usual for these utilities. The D.C. Public Service Commission recommends that you continue to pay utility bills as usual if you are able to do so. For customers having trouble paying their utility bills, it is important to contact your utilities as soon as possible. The utility companies have indicated that they will provide payment arrangements and other assistance. For help figuring out what assistance may be available to you, call the D.C. Public Service Commission’s Office of Consumer Services at (202) 626-5120.

DC Water is also restoring water service for disconnected residents, waiving late fees, and offering more lenient repayment terms for customers who fall behind on their bills. Customers whose water was shut off should email restore@dcwater.com or call DC Water at (202) 354-3750. Customers requesting restored service can leave a voicemail message and DC Water will return their call.

DC Water announced on May 12, 2020 that funds have been authorized to provide emergency relief to D.C. residents struggling with unpaid DC Water bills during the public health emergency and for 105 days thereafter. DC Water residential customers can apply to the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) for assistance from the fund established for the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC) to help pay all or part of an outstanding water-bill balance and for ongoing monthly discounts. DOEE will review and approve the assistance requests and DC Water will apply those credits to the customer’s bill. D.C. Residents can apply for assistance by submitting copies or pictures of the following to DOEE:

• Recent DC Water bill

• Recent proof of income (pay stub, social security statement, etc.) or proof of termination or unemployment

• Government-issued photo identification (license, passport, etc.)

• Complete and signed CRIAC Residential Relief application, available here.

Pepco is reconnecting residential customers who have had their electric service disconnected in the last 12 months — call (202) 833-7500 to speak to a Pepco representative. Pepco is also working with residents to identify assistance programs to ensure your service stays connected after the public health emergency has been lifted.

Government or Lead Agency

Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia and DC Water

Dates Available

These prohibitions on disconnecting utilities apply during the period of time for which the Mayor has declared a public health emergency and for 15 days thereafter.

Assistance with DC Water bills is available during the public health emergency and for 105 days thereafter.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

These prohibitions on disconnecting services apply to all purchasers of electricity for end-use in the District of Columbia; all purchasers of natural gas from companies operating in the District of Columbia; all owners or occupants of premises furnished with water by the District of Columbia; and all entities that provide telecommunications services in the District of Columbia.

Assistance with DC Water bills is available to DC Water residential customers.

See above for additional eligibility requirements.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

To reach the Office of Consumer Services of the Public Service Commission—which regulates gas and electric companies in the District of Columbia—call (202) 626-5120 or visit https://dcpsc.org/.

To contact DC Water, call (202) 345-3750 or visit https://www.dcwater.com/.

For installment payment options, email credit.collection@dcwater.com.

To get your water service restored, email Restore@dcwater.com.

For more information about obtaining assistance with DC Water bills, email criac.residential@dc.gov or visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1375571.

List of Additional Information

Click here for more information from the Public Service Commission regarding the actions being taken in response to COVID-19, including the policies of Pepco, Washington Gas, and Verizon on suspending disconnections.

Click here for more information regarding the Public Service Commission’s programs to provide seniors, disabled residents, and low-income residents with discounts from Pepco, Washington Gas, and Verizon.

Click here for more information regarding the restoration of water service for disconnected residents.

Click here for COVID-19 updates and resources from DC Water.

Click here for more information regarding assistance with DC Water bills.