Washington Extends Utility Moratorium Through September

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington's utility moratorium will expire on Sept. 30.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the move Friday, saying it was the final time the moratorium would be extended. Previously, the moratorium had been prolonged several times as the pandemic dragged on, but now state leaders say it's time to bring it to a close.

The move also brings the utility moratorium in line with the state's eviction moratorium, which is also set to expire Sept. 30.

"Utilities and housing are inextricably linked," Inslee said. "Our priority is to keep Washingtonians safe and housed, and give them a glide path to long-term stability."

The governor extended the eviction moratorium in late June, saying it would buy the state the necessary time to give financial aid to Washingtonians who have been struggling to stay afloat.

Under the utility moratorium, energy, telecommunications and water providers are prohibited from cutting off services to nonpaying customers. They're also banned from charging late fees for overdue payments, or from cutting off service to customers who have called and asked for COVID-19 assistance.

When the moratorium ends, unpaid utility bills will become due once again and utilities are free to cut off power, water or phone lines. However, the Office of the Governor says it is encouraging those utilities to:

• Make good faith efforts to reach and work with customers with overdue accounts.
• Help those customers find local, state, and federal financial assistance programs.
• Offer extended repayment plans for at least one year.
• Waive disconnection or reconnection fees.
• Refrain from reporting overdue accounts to credit bureaus for 180 days.

The governor's office is also encouraging anyone with overdue utility bills to research financial assistance options of their own, and to reach out to their providers ASAP to set up a repayment plan. Utility information can be found by dialing 2-1-1.

Related: Inslee Announces Eviction Moratorium 'Bridge' Through September