KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Shutoffs Affecting More, PG&E May Charge Extra Fees
Member Center:
WATSONVILLE, Calif- Central Coast Energy Services (CCES) has seen an increase in applicants in need of emergency assistance with utility bill shutoff notices as compared to 2008.
The upward trend of customers falling behind on their bill or facing shutoff for nonpayment has increased by 899 as compared to last year. Since January (2009), CCES has made commitments to PG&E on behalf of 1923 eligible customers households that have received 15 day or 48 hour shutoff notices. Last year, this number was 1534.
Accoding to CCES, while the increase in need of emergency assistance with shutoff notices can very well be attributed to a slump in the economy, PG&E customers are encountering extreme enforcement of payment policies and less options to actually pay past-due bills.
The organization says that in most situations, customers who apply for emergency assistance are considered high risk as a result of a past due balance or because of a poor payment history and are being charged a fee or “deposit” of up to twice the total monthly bill on top of the original balance due.
With first-time unemployment claims at an all-time high and the Winter season well under way, customers will need additional options to make payments on their PG&E bill. The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to take up the matter at their meeting Friday.
CCES provides the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for low-income households in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and South Santa Clara Counties. HEAP provides payment assistance of up to $385.00 with PG&E bills one time per calendar year. Households with a shutoff notice (48]hour or 15]day) may be eligible to receive immediate help.
Homeowners and renters can call CCES at 1-888-728-3637 for a HEAP application.
