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DC COVID-19
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: Utility Assistance and Internet Access
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Utility Assistance and Internet Access
- Contents
Resources
Your utility services (electric, natural gas, water, cable and local phone services) CANNOT be shut off during the COVID-19 public health emergency (which the DC Council has allowed the Mayor to extend until July 25, 2021) and for 15 days afterward. Your cable and telephone service can be downgraded to the most basic level.
For help paying your utilities, go to www.dc.gov/page/utilities-shutdown or call your utility provider to ask for payment relief.
If your service is shut off or you need to resolve an issue related to utility service and billing, contact the Office of the People's Counsel to file a complaint:
- Phone: 202-727-3071
- Email: info@opc-dc.gov
- Website: www.opc-dc.gov
- Complaints: https://bit.ly/2WvsZPD
- TTY: 202-727-2876
Other links
Electricity
- PEPCO: Service reconnection If you had your electricity cut off before the COVID-19 public health emergency, contact PEPCO to request that they turn your service back on for free
Water
- DC Water Service restoration: if you had your DC Water service shut off before the COVID-19 public health emergency, email restore@dcwater.com or call 202-354-3750
- Overdue water bill assistance: DC Water customers can apply for help to pay all or part of an overdue water-bill balance and for ongoing monthly discounts by emailing criac.residential@dc.gov (Department of Energy & Environment)
Gas
Washington Gas will not shut off service or charge fees for late payments. If you had your gas shut off before the COVID-19 public health emergency, call (844)927-4427. Washington Gas will make decisions about restoring service on an individual basis.
Internet
- Free wireless hotspots for DC residents (Open Data DC)
- Digital Inclusion Initiative DC Connect offers three months of free Internet service to families who are approved for Comcast's Internet Essentials (Connect.DC)
- Comcast Internet Essentials is offering new customers two free months of Internet service if you apply by June 30, 2020
- Indoor and outdoor WiFi hotspots (Comcast)
- T-Mobile COVID-19 Updates T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers who have data plans will automatically have unlimited smartphone data through June 30, 2020 (excluding roaming).
- MetroPCS COVID-19 Updates
- Verizon COVID-19 FAQs Verizon Wireless customers who can't pay their bill on time due to the COVID-19 public health emergency can submit a hardship form to prevent late fees or service disconnection (Verizon)
Reduced Price Computers
- PCs for People is a nonprofit that sells refurbished desktop and laptop computers, computer accessories, internet service plans, and software at lower prices. To purchase an item, visit this website, call 651-354-2552, or email sales@pcsforpeople.com
