Guidance on Payment Assistance and Franchise Tax Extension

One of the many concerns for those that have lost income or their job is paying their bills.  Please take initiative in advance to reach out to your electric, phone, natural gas and water utilities for deferred payment options before things get to the disconnect stage.  The same goes for your creditors.  I would highly encourage you to work out deals before you get to foreclosure, eviction or shut off of services stage. 

We have been talking with the different utility providers in our district and all of our local entities have reassured us of their commitment to working with customers during these difficult times.  These companies and providers have all emphasized we are all neighbors and we will help our neighbors.  They key though is communication with your providers.  This does not give the green light to customers to not pay their bills.   

 Rental Assistance

The Texas Supreme Court has temporarily suspended residential evictions.  This is critical to many Texans who are beginning to feel the economic impact of COVID-19.  The Texas Apartment Association also has a resource page related to COVID-19 impact.  Again, I would strongly encourage you to be proactive and work with landlords on deferred payment plans because evictions will soon again be available through the courts.

Electric Service Payment Assistance

All of our electric providers have announced they will be temporarily suspending disconnections or working on deferred payment plans upon request from the customer.  I am really proud of our utility providers as they historically have always worked with their customers, many of whom live in economically disadvantaged areas.  Several electric providers are providing financial assistance resource webpages so I would suggest looking at their social media pages and websites. 

The Public Utility Commission ordered all the Retail Electric Providers to immediately offer a deferred payment plan and suspend disconnections.  Here is an additional FAQ from the Public Utility Commission about their recent order.  However, again this does not mean customers are not liable for their electric bills.  Disconnects will eventually be reauthorized.

In addition to the REPs, we have reached out to the electric co-ops and municipal electric providers to gather their COVID-19 announcements.

CoServ Electric 
CoServ announced that it is suspending disconnections, penalties and late fees for nonpayment for residential members and customers through April 13.

Pentex Energy 
Pentex announced that their member services division will be aiding their members on a case-by-case basis to offer deferred payment plans.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative 
Tri-County EC announced that their member services division will be aiding their members on a case-by-case basis to offer deferred payment plans.

Wise County Electric Cooperative 
Wise County EC announced that it is suspending disconnections, penalties and late fees for nonpayment for residential members and customers through April 16.

Weatherford Municipal
Weatherford has announced that it is suspending disconnections temporarily and penalties that are associated with late payments.    

Bridgeport Municipal
Bridgeport is currently directing customers with financial hardship to assistance programs with these community resources:  http://cityofbridgeport.net/458/Utility-Assistance

Franchise Tax Extended

Today Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced that there will be an extension to all franchise taxpayers.  The new due date for 2020 franchise tax reports will be July 15 which is consistent with the IRS extension.  This is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms and will apply to all franchise taxpayers. 

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation 

Part of the Federal CARES Act is a newly created program for unemployment assistance for individuals who historically aren’t currently eligible for unemployment benefits through the state.  This program will be administered through Texas Workforce Commission but the state agency is still waiting for instructions from the federal government for implementation.  This new program will provide assistance for self-employed, independent contractors and workers with limited work history.  At this time, this new federal program application process is not open.  When we receive more details on who qualifies and how it will be administered through Texas Workforce Commission we will provide an update.  Here is a press release announcing the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) fund. 

I would encourage you to keep checking the Texas Workforce Commission website for updates.  In addition to this new program, the federal CARES Act also gave additional funding to supplement and extend the current state unemployment benefits program to 39 weeks (additional 13 weeks) plus increased funding at an extra $600 per week.  See TWC announcement here.   

I know everyone is still having a hard time getting through on the phones and computer to file for unemployment benefits.  Keep checking back.  They are rapidly increasing their workers at the call centers, bringing on new representatives every day.  They also implemented a new chat bot that should answer some of the more general questions.  Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. https://www.twc.texas.gov/