Need help with your Rent, Mortgage, or Utilities?

Since many customers may be facing unusual financial hardships as a result of COVID-19, Duke Energy is temporarily suspending disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late payment fees effective March 21.

Since many customers may be facing unusual financial hardships as a result of COVID-19, Piedmont Natural Gas is suspending disconnections for nonpayment effective March 13. This applies to all home and business accounts in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In addition, they have waived all late payment fees and fees for returned checks effective March 21. Customers who were recently disconnected can contact them to make arrangements for service restoration.

The in-person payment counters will be closed at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center and West Service Center effective March 18. The drive-thru payment center on 600 East Trade St. will remain open, and the drop boxes at 600 East 4th St. will be available for our customers to make payments. Charlotte Water will not disconnect water for non-payment of any account type until further notice. Accounts that have been disconnected will be re-connected.

COVID 19 Resources Webpage

Beginning Monday, March 16, they are offering free access to internet and WiFi for 60-days for new Pre-K to 12, college student and teacher households who don't currently have internet or WiFi service. This discount will be applied as a credit for your first two months of internet services. They will waive any installation or pre-payment fees to help get you started.

Call for more information (855) 243-8892

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Spectrum Internet Assist for eligible low-income households

Requirements:

• One or more members of your household must be a recipient of one of the following assistance programs:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP

• Supplemental Security Income (for applicants age 65+ only)

IF YOU HAVE DISPOSAL ITEMS FROM A QUARANTINED HOME please double bag your garbage and place your recyclables in the garbage as well until your quarantined period is over.

Effective Monday, March 23, City Solid Waste Services will only collect garbage and recycling. Yard waste and bulk item collection will be suspended for 30 days or until further notice. Garbage and recycling will continue to be collected as scheduled.

Beginning Monday, March 30, recyclables will not be collected outside the recycling cart. All materials, including cardboard, must be loosely placed in the recycling cart. Cardboard must be cut or torn, not folded, into pieces small enough to fit loosely in the cart.

Legal Resources

The Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions Program, known as the HOPE Program, provides rent and utility assistance to qualifying renters who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The program helps prevent evictions and utility disconnections. Learn more and apply for the program online at www.rebuild.nc.gov/hope-program or by calling 1-888-9ASK-HOPE or 1-888-927-5467.

Foreclosure Prevention: Whether you’re actively facing or at risk of foreclosure on your home, North Carolina offers free resources to help. To receive free foreclosure counseling, call the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency at 1-888-442-8188.

Legal Assistance: If you are concerned about eviction or your landlord has started eviction proceedings, contact Legal Aid of NC at 1-866-219-5262 for legal assistance.

Find additional information for renters through the HUD Rental Housing Counseling and Eviction Prevention Program, including contact information for local housing counselors.