Utility companies serving Jefferson County residents are operating as normally as possible, while also suspending shut offs and offering alternative payment options during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The Jefferson County Public Sewer District, Ameren, Missouri American Water and Spire (formerly Laclede Gas Co.) all have halted shutting off utilities for nonpayment, at least for now.
The agencies said they would monitor the crisis and evaluate the moratorium on turning off utilities as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, Ameren will continue normal billing, and residential and business customers are encouraged to pay their regular bills so they don’t fall behind, according to its website.
Missouri American Water said it will continue to evaluate the shutoff suspension and inform customers before any service would be disconnected because of non-payment. The company also said it was restoring water service to those who previously had service shut off because of non-payment, including customers whose water service was turned off for non-payment for sewer service, the company’s website said.
Spire said it has suspended disconnecting customer service and is waiving late fees until at least May 1.
Ameren
Ameren, Missouri American Water and Spire said customers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus may contact them to arrange a payment plan.
Ameren has partnered with United Way of Greater St. Louis to create the Coronavirus Income Relief Program, which will provide $500,000 in energy-assistance funds to customers experiencing financial hardships caused by the coronavirus, the company announced.
However, because of the application volume for the program, Ameren said on its website it had temporarily suspended the program and will provide updated information when it is available again.
Ameren also increased its commitment to Heat Up Missouri, under its Energy Outreach Program, for a total of $500,000 to further support existing energy-assistance programs for senior citizens, people who are physically disabled and income-eligible customers. More information on that program and other energy-assistance programs can be found at HeatupMissouri.org or HeatupStLouis.org.
Missouri American, Spire
On its website, Missouri American Water said customers experiencing financial hardship may call 866-430-0820 to discuss payment arrangements.
American Water, Missouri American Water’s parent company, and the American Water Charitable Foundation have donated $100,000 to Feeding America to support food banks across the U.S. The foundation also is matching employee donations to Feeding America, or other eligible organizations, up to $1,000 per employee, the company’s website said.
Spire customers who have been impacted financially by the pandemic may contact the company at 800-887-4173 to discuss billing options.
Water is safe during pandemic
Missouri American Water and the Jefferson County Public Sewer District both said their companies' water is safe to drink during the coronavirus crisis, both stating that the treatment process is effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses.
All the utility companies said employees are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to guard against the virus.
Also, the companies asked customers not to approach employees working in the field. If, however, customers need to talk with an employee, the companies ask customers to stay 6 feet from the worker, according to social-distancing recommendations.
Low-income home energy-assistance program extended
The Department of Social Services (DSS) announced it has extended the low-income home energy-assistance program (LIHEAP) by two months.
In an April 2 press release, the DSS said Missourians who have not already applied for the program have until May 31 to receive a one-time payment to help cover their primary heating bills from November through May 31. The previous deadline was March 31.
LIHEAP is available to those who are responsible for paying home heating costs. The applicant must have less than $3,000 in bank accounts, retirement accounts and investments. Also, the applicant’s household income needs to be less than 135 percent of the federal poverty level, which is a monthly income of $2,400 for a family of three or $2,897 for a family of four.
“We want low-income Missourians to utilize LIHEAP to help reduce the financial strain they are facing so those dollars that may have been used for an energy bill can now pay for other essential needs,” said Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Department of Social Services. “In addition to LIHEAP, low-income Missourians may also qualify for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) that helps pay fuel bills when a household’s energy is shut off, threatened to be shut off, or if the household is in threat of disconnection, but may not have received a disconnection notice.
“Although energy providers may not be shutting off utilities at the present time, it is very important for low-income Missourians who have received a notice or know a notice will be coming to get help now to prevent service disconnection at a later date.”
The amount of ECIP assistance a customer may receive is based on the amount of money needed to settle a household’s crisis with the energy provider. The maximum amount is $800 for the winter ECIP program that runs from November through May, according to the DSS.
To apply for LIHEAP, go to dss.mo.gov/fsd/energy-assistance or call 855-373-4636.
