Mayor Karen Bass announced on Oct. 20 that she has asked the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power board to pause residential power and water shutoffs for nonpayment through the end of 2026. The request follows a summer and fall of record heat that pushed many household bills higher.
The pause is a request to the board, not yet a finished policy. According to LAist, a Bass spokesperson said the board is expected to vote at its next meeting on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m., while an LADWP spokesperson said the changes would start immediately. The utility’s own statements do not give a vote date, so check the board agenda.
What the mayor announced
In her statement on LADWP customer relief, Bass said no residential customer who is unable to pay will have electricity or water turned off for the rest of the year. She also said customers can pay what they can afford for now.
LADWP will also send every residential customer information about their electricity and water use, plus conservation programs, starting in November. LADWP bills every two months, so many customers are now seeing the bill that covers August and September, one of the highest of the year.
Why bills are higher
LADWP says bills are up 7.8% this year because customers used more power during heat waves, not because the price of power rose, according to NBC Los Angeles. Air conditioning drives much of that use.
LAist reports that of the utility’s 1.6 million customers, about 2% received bills over $3,000 and 3% received bills between $2,000 and $3,000. Another 12% were billed $1,000 to $2,000, and at least 60% paid under $500. For wider context on household costs, see our guide to the cost of living in Los Angeles.
What still has to be paid
A pause is not forgiveness. Interim General Manager David Hanson said that under Proposition 26 and state law, the utility still has to collect payment for what was used. Prop 26 limits what a utility can charge to the cost of providing service.
LADWP says it can offer payment agreements with 0% interest and no late fees, per LAist. Bass also encouraged customers to look at Level Pay, which spreads costs evenly across 12 months, and at the Lifeline and EZ-Save discount programs for low-income seniors and households. The mayor’s statement lists 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) for outages and main breaks. Billing questions can go through the LADWP customer service page.
What is not settled
NBC Los Angeles notes that it is unclear what happens to unpaid balances once the temporary protection ends. Until now, the board has only barred shutoffs during National Weather Service extreme heat or cold advisories, a rule it adopted in 2023. Outside those advisories, shutoffs could still occur.
Customers behind on a bill should not wait for the vote. Contacting LADWP to set up an agreement now puts a payment plan on record whatever the board decides. More money topics are collected in our money and business guide.
This article is general information, not financial advice.