Several major gas, power, water, and internet companies offer free service, suspend service disconnections, and waive late fees to support Oregonians dealing with coronavirus
Last Updated: December 11th, 2020
THROUGHOUT OREGON — Many Oregon internet companies are offering free service; energy and telecommunications utilities are suspending service disconnections, and waiving late fees to support Oregonians impacted by coronavirus. In addition, state and federal programs can provide assistance to qualified individuals and households.
“In this unprecedented time, I appreciate that organizations and businesses are caring for our community in so many different ways,” said Governor Kate Brown. “These companies are ensuring Oregonians have one less thing to worry about. Thanks for keeping the lights on.”
Electricity:
If you need help paying your electric bill or addressing a growing balance, there may be assistance available. Utilities across the state are working with customers to ensure access to energy assistance programs, flexible payment plans, and other options. Contact your utility service provider directly to find out what programs may be available to you.
You can also contact the Oregon Energy Fund to access bill assistance; apply here.
You may also qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) for long-term energy assistance. You can learn more about how to apply to federal and state programs for energy assistance here.
Pacific Power, Portland General Electric and Idaho Power will suspend service disconnects and temporarily extend services without late fees to support Oregonians in the face of the outbreak of COVID-19. For more information, call your service provider at the number below:
Pacific Power: 1-888-221-7070
Portland General Electric: 1-800-542-8818
Idaho Power: 1-800-488-6151
Natural Gas:
Northwest Natural, Avista, and Cascade Natural Gas will suspend service disconnects and/or temporarily extend services without late fees to support Oregonians in the face of the outbreak of COVID-19. For more information, call your service provider at the number below:
Northwest Natural: 1-800-927-6123
Cascade Natural Gas: 1-888-522-1130
Avista: 1-800-227-9187 (residential), 1-800-936-6629 (commercial)
Internet:
Find a list of all of Oregon’s free wifi hot spots here.
AT&T: AT&T’s “Access from AT&T” program offers discounted internet service for families that participate in certain government assistance programs, has been expanded to include families that meet a basic income eligibility. AT&T is waiving data overage fees for all of its home internet plans though June 30th, 2021.
Verizon: Verizon has a $20 discount on monthly payments for new Fios subscribers who qualify for the Federal Communications Commission’s low-income Lifeline discount program, along with 60 days of free router rentals. Sign-ups are accepted through the end of 2020, and customers can keep the discount as long as they qualify.
Comcast: Comcast Xfinity is offering low-income families the ability to sign up for Internet Essentials service at no charge for 60 days through June 30th, 2021. For qualified low-income families, the service normally costs $9.95/month. The company also opened its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them; click here for a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots.
CenturyLink: CenturyLink is suspending limits on data usage; will waive late fees; and won’t terminate a residential or small business customer’s service for the next 60 days if the user is suffering financial challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
AT&T: 880-288-2020
Verizon: 1-888-294-6804
Comcast: 1-855-846-8376 (English); 1-855-765-6995 (Spanish)
CenturyLink: 1-866-642-0444
Telecommunications:
CenturyLink, Frontier, and many other landline telecommunications providers, have joined the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge for the next 60 days to:
- not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
- waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
- open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
CenturyLink: 1-866-642-0444
Frontier: 1-800-921-8101
Bill Assistance Programs:
For assistance with your energy bills, please contact your county’s energy assistance program agency. For the full list and contact information, click here.
Oregon Lifeline: A federal and state government program that reduces the monthly cost of phone or broadband services for qualifying low-income Oregon households. For more information, click here.
