Recession and the Current State of Evictions in the U.S.

– Public Service Commission states that it is confident no customers will experience interruption during crisis, and that after crisis period utilities will help with past-due accounts.

-See Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s memo on utility shutoff moratorium.

–Telephonic eviction hearings can be held in certain circumstances.

-See Alaska Court System’s COVID-19 response page for information about courts, hearings, and alerts.

–Governor and state’s largest utilities reached an agreement to not shutoff utilities or charge late fees or penalties during crisis.

-Arizona Corporation Commissioner released memo on information for utility customers

–Courts are still open and conducting hearings (not in person) when possible. Check with courts re: status.

-State Court emergency moratoriums on summons on complaint, entries of default and scheduling trial for unlawful detainers and entries of default.

–Utility shutoff moratorium for nonpayment during State of Emergency.

-See Colorado statewide utility tracker for information about whether your utility provider has put a moratorium on shutoffs during the crisis.

-Colorado Supreme Court ordered that whether or not to proceed with nonessential matters (such as evictions) is left to each court.

–Resources for Denver residents.

–Moratorium on electric, natural gas, and water shut-offs in response to pandemic.

-By order of governor, all residential foreclosures and evictions during the state of emergency. Also, no utility shutoffs.

–No utility shutoffs during state of emergency.

-See D.C. Public Service Commission’s resources page for more information about utilities and assistance.

–Courts have suspended eviction hearings until May 29, 2020.

-Most major utilities providers have said they will not shut off services. Check with your local provider.

-Check individual Georgia courts’ status here.

-Check the State of Georgia Public Service Commission’s website for a list of GA services that have suspended disconnections due to COVID.

–No termination for nonpayment of rent, no late fees or other charges for late or unpaid rent for 60 days in certain properties.

–Hawaii Electric suspended service disconnections until June 30, 2020.

-For financial and other assistance, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission has a county-specific resource guide.

–Illinois Commerce Commission ordered utilities to cease disconnections and suspend late fees until end of emergency. In place until May 1, 2020 (or the crisis has passed).

-By order of governor, no discontinuation of utilities during public health emergency.

–Indiana resource guide.

-By order of supreme court, no eviction proceedings until at least June 15, 2020.

–Iowa Utilities Board ordered restriction on utility disconnection during the public health emergency (until at least May 27, 2020).

-Utility disconnects for nonpayment are suspended until May 15, 2020..

–Kentucky Public Service Commission ordered utilities to cease disconnections for non-payment and late payment charges.

-Check your local court’s website to see status of hearings and trials.

-No utility service shutoffs statewide by order of the LA Public Service Commission.

-Louisiana Law Help is regularly updating its website with COVID-19 information for Louisiana residents.

–Maine Public Utilities Commission ordered that all utilities not disconnect customers until further notice.

-MaineHousing has created a $5 million COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.

-By governor’s order, no utility can terminate service or collect a late fee until termination of the state of emergency (at least June 1, 2020).

–No utility shutoffs until state of emergency is lifted or the Dep’t of Public Utility orders otherwise.

-Many Michigan utility providers are agreeing to suspend shutoffs. Check the MPSC website for your carrier’s current policies.

–By order of governor, no water shutoffs.

–Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has encouraged utilities to extend cold weather rule, and is providing information for consumers regarding utilities and assistance.

–Supreme Court of Mississippi issued order stating that certain counties may resume sending jury summonses on or after May 18, 2020; gives judges discretion on many cases.

-Mississippi has established a COVID-19 information website.

-Mississippi Public Service Commission ordered a temporary suspension of disconnection by any public utility in the state. (Until May 14, 2020.)

-Check the Mississippi Judiciary’s website for information about evictions, trials, and court access.

–Supreme Court of Missouri has directed courts to exercise discretion regarding cases (effective May 16, 2020) and appearances subject to certain Operational Directives. Whether or not your case will be held is left to discretion of judge.

-Check Missouri Public Service Commission’s website for information about utility shutoffs.

-Issuance of writs and execution of pending writs suspended through May 18, 2020.

-Visit KCMO.gov/coronavirus for more information.

-By order of governor, no business or political subdivision of the state can disconnect utilities for nonpayment, or charge late fees.

-Visit the Montana Public Service Commission’s website to locate your utility service provider’s website and find out about status.

-Visit Nebraska Public Service Commission’s website to see list of utility providers who have agreed to not shutoff service.

-Nebraska Public Service Commission is allowing utility carriers to seek reimbursement for providing service to low-income families.

-NV Energy suspended disconnections for nonpayment; check the State of Nevada Public Utilities Commission’s website.

-By governor’s order, prohibition on disconnection of electric, gas, water, and telephone service.

–Utilities have suspended shutoff orders.

–New Mexico residents who have received an eviction notice should call the state’s COVID-19 general hotline at 1-833-551-0518.

–NM courts have placed a temporary moratorium on eviction. You must provide the court with evidence of current inability to pay rent at your hearing on the eviction petition. Eviction hearings will be held by video or phone, unless parties file a motion for in-person hearing.

–New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ordered suspension of residential customer utility service during public health emergency.

-No water shutoffs, most utilities have agreed to not shut off during the outbreak.

–North Carolina Utilities Commission suspended utility shutoffs and late fees during state of emergency.

-A North Dakota COVID-19 Community and Nonprofit Response Fund was established.

–North Dakota Public Service Commission information on financial assistance with phone or internet service.

–Ohio Supreme Court has advised all lower courts to continue eviction-related matters. Not a requirement, so check with local court.

–All regulated Ohio utilities have suspended disconnections during coronavirus threat.

–Ohio resources for economic support.

-Courts have discretion to reschedule and use remote hearings

–Public Service Company of Oklahoma has suspended all service disconnections for non-payment.

–Oklahoma’s COVID-19 resources and assistance website.

-Oklahoma COVID-19 call center: 877-215-8336

–Governor updated order, clarifying that landlords may not take any action relating to evictions, including charging late fees or filing eviction papers.

–Oregon PUC list of utility providers who are suspending disconnects.

–Oregon PUC confirms suspension of shutoffs.

–Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s order prohibiting termination of utilities.

–Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Public Utilities Commission ordered halt on termination of service for nonpayment through May 8, 2020 for residential accounts.

-Any party pursuing an eviction must submit to court a signed, original Certification of Compliance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

–Public Service Commission of South Carolina ordered that all regulated utilities suspend disconnection for nonpayment during state of emergency.

-Check South Dakota PUC website for resources related to utilities.

-By order of Tennessee Public Utility Commission, no utility shutoffs during state of emergency.

–Texas Public Utility Commission approved an order banning disconnections of water and power service for those affected by COVID-19. Ends May 15, 2020.

-TXU Energy is offering customer support resources.

–The Utah Apartment Association has helpful information and resources for renters and landlords on its website.

–Vermont Public Utility Commission ordered moratorium on utility disconnections for nonpayment. (Until May 31, 2020.)

–Virginia Corporation Commission suspended disconnection of utility service for 60 days.

–Governor ordered that all relevant state agencies work to create strategies to help Virginians avoid evictions or foreclosures.

–Governor issued proclamation urging utilities to not turn off service.

-Governor issued utility-related emergency order.

-PSC of Wisconsin launched a customer service phone line for internet and phone service.

-Check Wyoming’s COVID-19 website for more information.

–Wyoming Public Service Commission authorized utilities to not cut service and charge fees (i.e., leaves decisions regarding shutoffs to the discretion of the utility).