SAN ANTONIO — After nearly two years, San Antonio utility companies will begin disconnections again Friday.
CPS Energy and SAWS halted shutoffs for nonpayment in March of 2020 because of the pandemic.
Critics contend it's too early to resume enforcement since the coronavirus is still spreading.
"There's never a good time to turn someone's power or water off," said Erica Alvarado, with the San Antonio Tenant's Union.
She contends water services in particular are a basic right that should be guaranteed.
"Trying to be generous and look from their perspective, I would say (companies can resume disconnections) once the pandemic is under control and once people have jobs."
Alvarado also works with the Southwest Workers Union, which is backing a "Recall CPS" campaign to abolish the city-owned provider's board of trustees.
"Most people want to pay their bills," she said. "They don't want to be in debt. They're not asking for anything wild. They're just asking for some understanding."
CPS ENERGY
CPS Energy previously announced it will take a tiered approach to resuming disconnections.
More than 162,000 residential customers are at least 30 days behind on their power bill. Roughly half of those could lose power without further action.
In all, the provider is owed $105 million.
Residential disconnects will begin on Oct. 1 for about 7,000 customers who are not signed up for an assistance program, have not signed up for a payment plan and have not responded to CPS Energy’s requests for payment.
Residential customers who are not on an assistance plan will be eligible for disconnects on Nov. 1.
The final disconnects for residential customers who are enrolled in an assistance plan but not signed up for installment plans will happen after the holidays on Jan. 4, 2022. CPS Energy said customers become eligible for disconnects if an account is 42 to 64 days past due, depending on what programs they might be enrolled in.
Disconnects for large businesses already started earlier this month. Medium and small-sized businesses will be eligible for disconnects on Oct. 1.
CPS Energy encourages residential and businesses customers to call to set up a payment plan and see if they might qualify for assistance programs.
“Anyone who is on an active installment plan and stays current with the installment plan, they are not eligible for disconnect,” said DeAnna Hardwick, vice president of customer success for CPS Energy. “If a customer contacts us, we’ll find a way to work with them. We have a lot of different solutions we can provide with installment plans.”
Call CPS Energy customer service at 210-335-2222 to connect with an energy advisor.
CPS Energy continues to reach out to customers who are in jeopardy of disconnects to provide assistance and payment plans. The utility will never demand payment immediately or threaten a same day disconnect. Customers will also receive a written notice of disconnection in the mail before their power is turned off. So far, the utility has provided more than $31 million in assistance since the pandemic began. It continues to work with the city to find more money in help customers.
SAWS
SAWS will begin water and sewer disconnections Friday as well, having also stopped shutoffs at the onset of the pandemic.
SAWS said not to wait to contact the utility if you are at risk for disconnect. Customers with overdue bills who set up payment plans will avoid getting their water cut off.
About 60,000 customers have been automatically enrolled in a 4-year payment plan, the provider told San Antonio city council members Wednesday. Those consumers owed less than $2,000.
They'll need to pay their monthly bills in full, plus 1/48th of their debt, for 18 months straight. After that, SAWS will forgive the remaining balance.
Council members praised the plan, and asked CPS to consider a similar payoff strategy.
The utility said it has several additional payment options, plus it can connect customers who qualify with assistance programs. Options include dividing the entire account balance into equal monthly payments or other payment options can be discussed by calling (210) 704-7297. Call (210) 233-2273 to see if you qualify for a need-based assistance program.
Customers got this insert with their July bill detailing the disconnection plan, payment plans and available assistance.