On March 26th, the Public Utility Commission of Texas responded to the governor’s declaration of emergency with a plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Texas utility customers who are experiencing genuine economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Who are these actions intended to help?

These efforts are intended to help those Texans in genuine financial distress as a result of COVID-19, when their utility bills will literally break their family budget. Because the cost of these temporary measures will ultimately be borne by rate payers (including customers with suspended disconnects whose final balances are not totally offset by the COVID-19 surcharge on actively paying customers), they should be reserved for those in dire circumstances.

How do I get added to the list?

If you are a residential elec- tricity customer in areas of Texas open to retail competition who qualifies for unemployment benefits and is in genu- inely dire economic straits as a result of COVID-19, you can contact the state’s Low Income List Administrator (LILA) at 866-454-8387 to request enrollment. Their call center is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How does enrollment work?

After you have contacted the LILA (at 866-454-8387 or https://www. txcovid19erp.org/) and shared proof of your unemployment status and essential information with them (including your name, electricity service address and, preferably, your electricity account number with your REP), you will be provisionally added to the list and your REP will be notified within a week to not disconnect your power if you are unable to pay the bill or enter into a deferred payment.