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Texas

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on May 8, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Texas, we recommend that you visit the Governor's COVID-19 Resources portal, the Harris County website or Dallas County's Coronavirus Updates and Information

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Description of Program and Relief

Electricity Relief Plan and Suspension of Residential Utility Disconnections for Customers Affected by COVID-19

Under a new program called the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Plan, the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) has ordered Retail Electric Providers (REPs) in areas of the state open to competition to:

  • Immediately offer a deferred payment plan to any residential customer who requests one, and

  • Suspend disconnections for residential customers who have been added to the state’s unemployment and low income list due to the effects of COVID-19.

In addition, PUC ordered all PUC-regulated water and sewage utilities and electricity providers outside the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid to suspend disconnections for residential customers for nonpayment. The suspension does not relieve any customer from their obligations to make payments for their utilities.

Government or Lead Agency

Texas Public Utility Commission

Dates Available

Available now

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

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

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

To enroll in the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program contact the state’s Low Income List Administrator (LILA) at (866) 454-8387.

You can also apply through PUC here.

List of Additional Information

For additional information regarding the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Plan, visit this website.

For additional information regarding the suspension of water and sewage utilities, visit this website.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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