The City of Danville reminds utility customers that disconnections for delinquent residential and commercial accounts will resume on Sept. 1.
The reminder is being issued to clear up any confusion created by the State Corporation Commission’s decision earlier this week to extend, until Sept. 16, the general moratorium on utility shutoffs for investor-owned utilities and member-owned cooperatives.
Municipal-owned utilities are not subject to the State Corporation Commission’s control.
Danville utility customers with past due balances of more than 35 days have received two notices by mail that disconnections would resume on Sept. 1. The notices provided options, which include the equal-payment plan, for bringing accounts in good standing.
Also, the notices provided information on federal funding distributed to state and local governments to help communities with COVID-19 issues. Funds to assist with utility bills remain available.
City residents with COVID-19-related income loss can contact the Danville Department of Social Services to apply for assistance with past due utility accounts. Grant programs to assist businesses are available through the Danville Office of Economic Development.
These funds are in addition to rent and mortgage assistance being offered through the Community Development Department. Also, CARES Act funds have been provided to God’s Storehouse.
Danville Utilities customers who reside in Pittsylvania, Halifax and Henry counties should contact their locality’s Department of Social Services to see if assistance is available there.
The Community Foundation and Pittsylvania County Community Action also have resources to help residential utility customers.
Also, on Sept. 1, the City will resume charging a $50 delinquent account fee for all utility customer classes. Utility disconnections and the $50 delinquent account fee were suspended in March.