Texas consumers have a new financial backstop to avoid electricity disconnection during the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine.

If you need help paying bills, the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program can help. This program is designed to help those who can’t pay bills due to unemployment or economic hardship caused by COVID-19.

What is the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program?

The Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program (CERP) helps consumers who are having trouble paying bills due to job loss or other related hardship.

There are two aspects of the CERP program:

• Retail Electric Providers (REPs) must offer a deferred payment plan to any residential customer who requests one, regardless of their previous payment history.
• REPs must suspend electricity disconnections for residential customers who have been added to the state’s unemployment and low income list due to the effects of COVID-19.

If you have applied for unemployment or are low income, you are not automatically qualified for CERP list. You must apply separately for this relief program.

Who is eligible for the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Plan?

Residential customers that qualify for unemployment or that are low income qualify for the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Plan.

How do I apply for the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program?

Contact the state’s Low Income List Administrator (LILA) at 866-454-8387 to enroll. This number is staffed 24/7.

You can also apply online through the Public Utility Commission of Texas. (Link Below)

When you apply, you will need to provide LILA your name as it appears on the electricity bill, your service address and your electricity account number with your REP (if available).

After you have called LILA and qualified, you will be provisionally added to the CERP-eligible list.

Within 7 days, the REP will be notified that they cannot disconnect your power if you are unable to pay the bill.

You should also contact your electricity provider directly to notify them of your CERP status.

To be on the safe side, if you have a bill due within 10 days of your application for CERP, contact your REP immediately to discuss payment arrangements.

You’ll need to provide LILA with proof of your unemployment status within 30 days of applying.

Web: Click Here To Apply

Phone: 866-454-8387