LADWP to provide debt assistance to nearly 250,000 customers

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has unveiled the largest utility debt assistance program in City’s history. On Tuesday the board voted to extend the shutoff moratorium until March 31, 2022 and use state funds to help hundreds of thousands of customers pay their bills.

LADWP will distribute more than $265 million dollars in pandemic relief funds expected from the State of California, specifically earmarked for municipal utilities under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), to financially assist qualifying customers.

LADWP plans to add to its state and federal fund appropriations with additional funds specifically allocated to assist low-income customers who continue to need additional utility bill pay assistance.

“We’re taking a comprehensive approach to implement new programs, streamline our process and remove obstacles to make it easier for customers to receive assistance,” said LADWP director of customer service George Rofail.

In an effort to help customers pay off past due accounts, LADWP will credit $15 million in state funds directly to customers’ accounts and extend payment arrangements.